Chicago Metro Farms Fund Market Intelligence Intern
Title: Chicago Metro Farms Fund Market Intelligence Intern
Line of business/ division: Operations/Strategic Giving
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Senior Director, Corporate Philanthropy
Location: Chicago Metro Area (remote with co-working option)
The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org.
Jjob highlights
The intern will conduct the market intelligence and stakeholder positioning needed to shape funder/partner prioritization and engagement to support TCF’s growing Chicago Metro Farms Fund. The intern will create deliverables across three workstreams:
Document market alignment
Outline unique regional case for support
Refine pitch
The intern will strengthen TCF’s capacity to mobilize capital for peri-urban agricultural lands and next-generation farm owners in a high-impact geography. The intern’s work will deepen TCF’s market intelligence for targeted funder engagement, identify anchor buyer relationships that make regenerative transitions economically viable for farmers, and build the narrative and pitch infrastructure needed to attract capital from diverse sources, directly advancing conservation that works for America and all Americans. Start and end dates are negotiable, with a total internship of 375 hours.
What you will be doing
To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
Document market alignment
Building on existing TCF research, evaluate existing regenerative agriculture standards, adoption rates, and market shares to build a broad assessment of sustainable food systems; identify which standards are most relevant to Farms Fund.
Review agriculture and food-system funders and funder consortiums to better understand funder expectations and opportunities, with a focus on the Midwest.
Research and develop a list of three to five anchor buyers in the Chicago Metro area, modeled on the partnership with Emory University (ex. University of Chicago).
Review existing Farms Fund collateral (one-pagers, pitch decks, and proposals) and public presence to identify alignment and gaps with standards and funder expectations.
Outline unique regional case for support.
Produce a written Chicago Metro case for support grounded in the market alignment and capital stack research, serving as the narrative foundation for the pitch deck
Refine pitch.
Adapt current pitch deck to different audiences including foundation, corporate, and impact investment prospects.
Update the Fund’s one-page pitch.
What we need you to have
Enrolled in or recently graduated from environmental studies, economics, public policy, sustainable food systems, or related field.
Strong research, synthesis, and professional writing skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Able to manage parallel workstreams with strong attention to detail.
Strong communication skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
What we'd like you to have
Familiarity with regenerative agriculture or sustainable food systems.
Experience with funder research.
Familiarity and interest in conservation finance or impact investing.
Physical demands and work environment
Work is performed at a computer in a quiet office setting.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.
Frequently cited statistics show that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, The Conservation Fund encourages you to apply.
The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit corporation, is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave status, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression. The Fund prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.
