Careers in Community Development

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in community development? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr user Mosman Council

Community development is a way of working with local communities to build communities and provide individuals with the skills needed to bring about change. A community developer may do this by creating new initiatives to bring a community together, provide community members with skills such as literacy or work skills, or reduce a problem in the community such as crime or poverty.

A job in community development can lead you to working with a city or neighborhood’s planning programs or a nonprofit striving to effect change. Some things you might do include:

Research the issues that need to be tackled in the community
Create programs that tackle these issues
Meet with community members during events
Create reports on community initiatives

A bachelor’s degree is usually required for community development positions, but volunteering and interning is a great and easy way to get started–and may lead you to a job without a degree. Besides a degree, creativity, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a knowledge of the local community are also required.

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Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Community Development

Cradles to Crayons - Cradles to Crayons is a Brighton, MA based non-profit that is focused on “providing to children ages 0 to 12 some of the most important basics of life—free of charge.”

See the complete Cradles to Crayons profile

Mission Asset Fund - Mission Asset Fund is a San Francisco non-profit that's “transforming the financial services sector so that all hardworking families have a shot at achieving their dreams.”

See the complete Mission Asset Fund profile

Wholesome Wave - Wholesome Wave is a Bridgeport, CT based non-profit with a mission “to empower people in underserved urban and rural communities to make healthier food choices.”

See the complete Wholesome Wave profile

Local Initiatives Support Corporation - LISC is an NYC based non-profit that connects "local organizations and community leaders with resources to revitalize neighborhoods and improve quality of life.”

See the complete Local Initiatives Support Corporation profile

City Blossoms - City Blossoms is a Washington, DC based non-profit that is “dedicated to kid-driven, community engaging, creative green spaces.”

See the complete City Blossoms profile

Doorways to Dreams Fund - D2D Fund is an Allston, MA non-profit that is using innovative ideas to "increase the financial security and opportunity of low- and moderate-income households."

See the complete Doorways to Dreams Fund profile

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center - Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is an SF non-profit that helps people "achieve financial self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship.”

See the complete Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center profile

The San Francisco Foundation - The San Francisco Foundation is a non-profit founded in 1948 “to pull the community together to create pride and unity and improve quality of life” in the Bay Area.

See the complete The San Francisco Foundation profile

City Parks Foundation - City Parks Foundation is a New York, NY based non-profit that creates “programs in parks throughout all five boroughs of New York City.”

See the complete City Parks Foundation profile

Seattle Tilth - Seattle Tilth aims “to inspire and educate people to safeguard our natural resources while building an equitable and sustainable local food system.”

See the complete Seattle Tilth profile

Food & Friends - Food & Friends is a Washington, DC based non-profit that cares for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other illnesses by preparing and delivering meals.

See the complete Food & Friends profile

Educational Alliance - The Educational Alliance is a New York, NY based community organization that “currently serves 50,000 New Yorkers annually via 39 programs.

See the complete Educational Alliance profile

Smart Growth America - Smart Growth America is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization that believes “smart growth solutions support thriving businesses and jobs."

See the complete Smart Growth America profile

Street Soccer USA - Street Soccer USA is a New York, NY based non-profit that uses soccer “to get homeless men, women, and youth off the streets."

See the complete Street Soccer USA profile

Heifer International - Heifer International is a Little Rock, AR based non-profit that enables people to “donate animals to poor countries.”

See the complete Heifer International profile

Vittana - Vittana is a Seattle, WA based non-profit that is using microfinance to bring education to the developing world.

See the complete Vittana profile

WhyHunger - WhyHunger is a New York, NY based non-profit that is trying to fix the problem of food insecurity in the U.S. and across the world.

See the complete WhyHunger profile

International Food Policy Research Institute - International Food Policy Research Institute is a Washington, DC based non-profit that aims to end hunger and poverty, and they're hiring.

See the complete International Food Policy Research Institute profile

The Humane Society of the United States - The Humane Society of the United States is the country's largest animal protection organization, and they're hiring.

See the complete The Humane Society of the United States profile

American Planning Association - Ever consider a career in planning? The American Planning Association can help you get started.

See the complete American Planning Association profile

Institute for Transportation and Development Policy - If you're excited by the intersection of transportation and international development, then consider a career with ITDP.

See the complete Institute for Transportation and Development Policy profile

Sacramento Tree Foundation - Do you love trees? If so, then a career with the Sacramento Tree Foundation might be a great fit for you.

See the complete Sacramento Tree Foundation profile

Grameen America - If you like what Grameen America is doing to build a microfinance program in the United States, take a look at their job opportunities.

See the complete Grameen America profile

charity: water - If you’re moved by the the charity: water mission then you’ll want to check out their amazing career opportunities.

See the complete charity: water profile

Innovations for Poverty Action - If you’re analytically minded and want to put your skills towards erasing poverty, then Innovations for Poverty Action would be a great place for you to work.

See the complete Innovations for Poverty Action profile

Mobilize.org - Mobilize.org isn’t as much focused on specific issues as they are focus on equipping our generation to engage in the political process and make things happen.

See the complete Mobilize.org profile

Samaritan’s Purse - Samaritan's Purse is a Boone, NC based non-profit that serves people through Emergency Relief Programs and Community Development and Vocational Programs.

See the complete Samaritan’s Purse profile

Share Our Strength - If you like what Share Our Strength is doing to end childhood hunger, check out their job opportunities.

See the complete Share Our Strength profile

Seedco - If you want to help people find jobs, grow businesses, and improve their communities, consider a job with Seedco, a New York City based non-profit.

See the complete Seedco profile

Arthritis Foundation - Arthritis Foundation is a Atlanta, GA based non-profit organization that “helps people take control of arthritis" by providing a myriad of services.

See the complete Arthritis Foundation profile

GRID Alternatives - GRID Alternatives is taking on pollution, poverty, and unemployment all at once. If you want to be part of that mission, check out their Jobs page.

See the complete GRID Alternatives profile

Foundation for Sustainable Development - If you’re excited about what Foundation for Sustainable Development is doing, then you should check out their Jobs and Fellowships.

See the complete Foundation for Sustainable Development profile

Bread for the City - If you like what Bread for the City is all about, then you should check out their jobs on Idealist.

See the complete Bread for the City profile

Transportation Alternatives - If you like what you see in their Advocacy Campaigns, then you’ll want to head over to the Transportation Alternatives Jobs page.

See the complete Transportation Alternatives profile

Room to Read - If Room to Read sounds like an organization that you could be a part of, take a look at their Jobs page for some of their exciting opportunities.

See the complete Room to Read profile

One Economy Corporation - If you’d like to be a part of One Economy, then head over to their Jobs page to see what's available.

See the complete One Economy Corporation profile

Sister Cities International - If reading about Sister Cities International gets you excited, check out their Jobs page and their Youth Ambassador Program Coordinator position.

See the complete Sister Cities International profile

Nourish International - There’s something special about non-profits that start on college campuses. Nourish International is one, and they're hiring.

See the complete Nourish International profile

Visions in Action - Visions in Action is a non-profit that works in four key program areas: Food Security, Education, Health, and International Exchange, and they're hiring.

See the complete Visions in Action profile

Citizen Effect - If you like the idea of “focusing on small, but high impact projects,” then you should check out Citizen Effect’s jobs.

See the complete Citizen Effect profile

Location Labs - If you want to dig deep into the world of location-based services, then a job at Location Labs would be well worth considering.

See the complete Location Labs profile

Global Visionaries - Global Visionaries only has one job posted in their Seattle office, but it seems perfect for a new grad—it's a Development and Executive Assistant position.

See the complete Global Visionaries profile

The Urban Institute - What I really like about The Urban Institute is that they are tirelessly focused on finding the facts, not promoting political opinions. It's about the research

See the complete The Urban Institute profile

Root Capital - If you’re excited about international development, but also like the free market approach to investment, then you should check out Root Capital’s Jobs page.

See the complete Root Capital profile

Kid Power - If you’re intrigued by Kid Power's programs, you should check out their job opportunities on Idealist.

See the complete Kid Power profile

Ubuntu Education Fund - If you feel called to join the Ubuntu Education Fund, you can find out more by checking out their Jobs page.

See the complete Ubuntu Education Fund profile

The Financial Clinic - The Financial Clinic has a ton of resources and partnerships to help them focus their programs, but the real work is done through their Fellowship Program.

See the complete The Financial Clinic profile

OneAmerica - Based in Seattle, WA, OneAmerica is a non-profit that aims "to advance the fundamental principles of democracy and justice" by empowering immigrant communities.

See the complete OneAmerica profile

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare - The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare has a great job opportunity for a new or recent grad as a Member Associate.

See the complete National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare profile

A Wider Circle - From what I can tell, A Wider Circle really makes the most of the resources they have, and that includes their people.

See the complete A Wider Circle profile

Check out the latest job and internship postings in community development.

Careers in Community Development

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Community Development

See more companies with entry level jobs and internships in community development: