Internship programs are a vital component of our local workforce development system, allowing businesses to recruit emerging talent, gain fresh perspective, and have an extra hand to assist with projects their teams might otherwise not have time for.
Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) is thrilled to announce that we have grant funding available for summer 2026 to help subsidize the cost of hosting a Future Leaders Intern for a limited number of organizations. Thanks to the generous support of the JP Morgan Chase Foundation, priority will be given to nonprofits in Clark and Cowlitz counties.
The Future Leaders Project (FLP), a partnership between Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW), Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC), and Washington State University Vancouver (WSU Vancouver), offers paid summer internships with local employers that build skills, expand networks, and provide meaningful professional experience.
“We are extremely grateful that the JPMorgan Chase Foundation has awarded a third Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) grant to WSW and the Future Leaders Project! The funding we have received from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation has helped us expand the number of internship opportunities available through the program, significantly increasing the number of WSU Vancouver students and local businesses who can benefit from participating,” said Nolan Yaws-Gonzalez, Associate Director of Programs, who oversees WSW’s investment in the FLP.
In 2025, grants from WSW funded internships at ALS Northwest, Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Washington, Clark County Food Bank, Greater Vancouver Chamber, LEAD North LLC, Love Overwhelming, Outsiders Inn, Partners in Careers, PointNorth, Southwest Washington Contractors Association (SWCA), The Bioforge, The Foundation WA, The Nutter Family Foundation, Vancouver Farmers Market Association, and YWCA Clark County. This year, WSW received $125,000 from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation that will be used to fund approximately 16 internships with nonprofit organizations in Clark and Cowlitz counties during summer 2026.
FLP offers many benefits to host businesses. Interns bring new ideas and perspectives, and support for projects that employees otherwise might not have the time to complete.
“I would certainly recommend this program to anyone who wants a high-quality intern and the opportunity to help mentor and lead the next generation of leaders in our community”
– Mike Bomar, Port of Vancouver.
Other benefits FLP provides are a proven, cost-effective way to recruit and evaluate potential permanent employees and opportunities for staff to gain supervisory skills through mentoring and managing interns.
Interns also can boost the visibility of their host organization on campus and with their peers and family members. Participation enables organizations to promote community involvement and demonstrate their commitment to investing in the career development and growth of our community’s future workforce.
“Interns bring in youthful energy, new ideas, fresh ways of thinking and challenge the status quo immediately in your business.” – Lisa Keohokalole Schauer, PointNorth Consulting
Applications are now closed.
The FLP team will be reviewing and scoring applications by early December.
Businesses interested in learning more about FLP and hiring interns, please contact our Associate Director of Programs, Nolan Yaws-Gonzalez at nyaws-gonzalez@workforcesw.org or 360.567.1066.
WSU Vancouver students who are interested in learning more about FLP should contact Bill Stahley, WSU Vancouver Employer Engagement Coordinator, at bstahley@wsu.edu or 360.546.9273.
For PY25, the Future Leaders Project is supported by $131,367 (52% of total) U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration federal funding and $119,536 (48% of total) non-federal funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.
