Chicago Metro Farms Fund Market Intelligence Intern
Base Pay: $23.00 / Hour
Employment Type: Temp NBE
Manage Others: No

DescriptionThe Chicago Metro Farms Fund Market Intelligence 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.

Ability 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.

The Conservation Fund is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Additional InformationRegion: Chicago Metro Area (remote with co-working option at Chicago office)