Reflections from the Intern Class of 2024
Last summer, we were thrilled to onboard three undergraduate interns, who spent their time with us learning about the work we do at LIL, engaging with our grant partners, and helping to facilitate actionable impact for our inaugural cohort. Upon the conclusion of their internship, we asked them to reflect on their experiences and what it meant to them, focusing on their time spent at the 2024 Annual Retreat. We believe these testimonials capture the LIL spirit, offering a meaningful glimpse into our program and highlighting our commitment to passing on our core values to the next generation.
Our summer 2024 undergraduate interns at the LIL retreat in Vermont
Harrison Fell (Dartmouth College, 2025 graduate):
“Before the LIL Retreat, we read an article detailing how the tight funding constraints in the nonprofit industry can lead to a taxing environment where founders often lose their motivation. LIL's structure is designed to mitigate these concerns by treating founders like portfolio companies in a venture capital firm, offering on-the-ground consulting and unrestricted funding. This approach fostered an overwhelmingly positive environment. This ability to focus on a specific niche while maintaining a broader perspective is crucial for driving meaningful change. [Fellow intern] Jack asked Tinice, CEO of Feed the Second Line, ‘What would you do if you had a billion dollars?’ She was well-prepared with an answer, sharing her comprehensive plan on mental health services, necessary housing, and job support. She understood how to handle family conflicts and what the exact requirements entailed. I had a similar experience talking to Priya, the board chair of BK ROT. It's not just about long-term plans, every nonprofit executive I spoke to was buzzing with actionable objectives to enhance their existing services. The ability to balance short and long-term trajectories with competent fiscal planning is essential for leadership, especially in a sector with such constrained funding.”
Jack Hughes (University of California, Berkley, 2025 graduate):
“The kind of engagement Peter and Werner had with the non-profits was a coaching perspective, not a quarterbacking one. This was an analogy Peter made about his style as a board member as well; you aren't trying to do the job for your portfolio company or pretend you know how to do the job better than them. What you are trying to do is insert advice at critical moments. This movement towards collaborative investing can also manifest itself in how you engage with new investments. You don't want to overload the term sheet with provisions that indicate a lack of trust with your investee or lie about your intentions to actually invest. Venture should be an environment where everyone is treated with dignity.”
Mia Sanders (University of Chicago, 2027 graduate):
“There haven’t been many times in my life where I’m utterly floored by those who live and breathe what they do. Taking one glance around the LIL retreat made it apparent that this was one of those rare moments. In any instance, I could hear [Founder and President] Quilen from Southside Bloom’s laugh drifting from all corners of Shelburne Farms. [Workforce and Education Manager] Deb from Native Renewables told me stories of sledding down on steel discs at her reservation, her love for the Navajo and Hopi people always present in her conversations. [Program Manager] Jojo from Feed The Second Line told me ‘always say thank you, but never too much.’ This stuck with me as a poignant reminder that in order to respect others, we must always save room and grace for ourselves. Everyone came to this retreat with ideas, beliefs, and goals vastly different from one another, yet I have never seen a group care so much about one another. While LIL educated their cohort on a sustainable nonprofit model, taught financial planning, and cultivated a toolkit for future use, they also created a space where it was ok to take rest, to make friends, to simply be. The theme of equity is perhaps, in my mind, the most important part to the success of nonprofits. If one person has a foot in the door, we all do. LIL reminded nonprofits to ask for help, to recommend other organizations to funders, to remember that the collective union is just as important as individual agency.”
These reflections from our Summer 2024 internship class are more than just memories, they are a testament to the values and environment LIL stands for and actively works to improve. As we continue to support and grow with our grant partners, we also emphasize the importance of nurturing the next generation of changemakers. We’re proud that our summer interns left with new skills, lifelong connections, and a deep understanding of what it means to lead with humility, vision, and true heart.
Interns in conversation with Peter Levine, Levine Impact Lab Founder