We're on the side of the disenfranchised, overlooked, and underserved. We stand for justice, opportunity, and dignity. We believe in big ideas, fervent prayers, and giving it all you've got. We're on a mission to invest in the dreams of families in poverty, and we want you to join us as we passionately pursue this calling.
HOPE International is a globally recognized international economic development ministry, with operations in 21 different countries. HOPE focuses on integrating an intentional, effective witness for Jesus Christ while striving for excellence in the financial services we provide to those living in poverty in underserved areas. Our internship and fellowship programs are designed for students seeking to develop spiritually and professionally. Interns and fellows at HOPE enjoy the benefits of a challenging and meaningful business experience while working in a spiritually nurturing environment. HOPE's interns and fellows experience spiritual formation, professional enrichment, and significant involvement.
HOPE is committed to discipleship. Interns and fellows have the opportunity to read through a book together and dialogue with each other and HOPE staff around the network about what they are learning. HOPE's interns and fellows are challenged daily with the pressing needs of men and women in poverty and discuss what it means to respond to those issues as members of the Body of Christ.
Interns and fellows benefit from mentoring relationships as they work alongside supervisors who invest in challenging and counseling them during the entire process. The coordinator provides support to interns and fellows before, throughout, and following the program.
Lateral learning is central to the program. All interns and fellows are encouraged to build relationships and share experiences with each other and with members of the HOPE team.
Interns and fellows at HOPE will be integrated into a truly professional environment and enjoy the benefits of a traditional business internship and fellowship. Interns and fellows have varied opportunities to develop real business experience. HOPE is a strong and efficient nonprofit, awarded Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating for 17 consecutive years—an honor bestowed on only the top 1% of U.S. nonprofits. Technical training is a key component to HOPE internships and fellowships. Interns and fellows use and develop proficiency in business software and management information systems specific to their roles.
All interns and fellows are valued members of the team. Each intern and fellow is fully incorporated into HOPE's team, always included in staff and departmental meetings and staff devotions.
All interns and fellows are tasked with challenging and meaningful projects and weekly responsibilities which give them a taste of careers in this sector.
HOPE interns and fellows are given the freedom and responsibility to further HOPE's work with those living in poverty in underserved areas.
"The way HOPE integrates Christ into every facet of work life is incredible. Being in a workplace where people encourage and pray for one another is so beautiful and unique. This culture challenges me in ways I didn't know I could be challenged."
"I most appreciated the way that the staff of HOPE welcomed us as real members of the team–not just as young people who are basically assistants. Most of all, I appreciated how all of this welcoming was done in a genuine, Christ-centered way, highlighting that the center of HOPE's work is Christ, not us. It really inspired me to want to be a part of this organization."
"Do it! You will learn intellectually as well as gain spiritual wisdom, make so many great connections with interns and HOPE staff, develop skills that will help you no matter where you end up, and have so much fun!"
Surround yourself with a global network of prayer warriors.
Grow in your faith alongside a community of Christ followers through weekly staff devotions and prayer.
Rejoice in successes big and small. The work is serious; the team is often not.
Learning doesn't end when you start the job.
Take on meaningful and important tasks and responsibilities.
Be challenged and supported by a HOPE staff member mentor.
At HOPE, culture matters. We sum up the attributes we seek and celebrate in the acronym PASSION. Do you have PASSION?
Our brand manifesto grounds and inspires us, reminding us in compelling, relatable language who we are and who we hope to be.
Rooted in Christ, HOPE adheres to the following statement of faith, adopted from the National Association of Evangelicals.
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
This guide will help you to understand where you are in the process and what to expect next.
We start each posting with prayer that God would prepare and lead the right person to this position and that we would make a wise choice.
The job description is posted, and we review all applicant resumes.
We review and screen candidates for skill, culture, and mission fit and then invite them to an initial interview.
We will then pass along qualified candidates to the hiring manager for a second-round phone interview.
At that point we will make a decision.
Key dates: The openings for HOPE's summer internship program are posted in the fall and applications are typically accepted through mid-January. The summer term for internships is late May through mid-August. Many fellowship openings also begin around late May and will continue beyond mid-August, but fellowships could also be posted and begin at any time of year.
Undergraduate students who have completed at least their sophomore year by the start of the internship, recent graduates, and graduate students are eligible to apply for internships. Recent graduates, graduate students, and business professionals are eligible to apply for fellowships.
Spring and fall fellowship applications are considered on a rolling basis.
Individuals being considered for a position will have a preliminary pre-recorded interview and then secondary interviews over the phone or Microsoft Teams.
HOPE International offers a stipend to offset the expense of rent during the internship/fellowship. Interns and fellows receive a stipend of $500/month. HOPE may provide interns and fellows with fundraising resources if necessary.
Applicants requiring an earlier decision date should state such in their application. Although HOPE will try to grant these requests, the candidate will be competing against an unknown candidate pool, which lessens the likelihood of a favorable decision.
Full-time interns and fellows work 32-hour weeks (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an hour for lunch) and are given Friday off. Because HOPE interns and fellows work a shortened week, there may be opportunities for them to seek weekend employment to help cover expenses. Work schedules vary for interns and fellows based overseas. Internships with HOPE should span a minimum of 10 weeks and can be extended up to a total of nine months per the acceptance of the supervisor. Fellowships are typically 6- to 12-month positions.
Internships are semester-based positions for undergraduate and graduate students of all disciplines. Fellowships are 6-12 month positions for recent college graduates, experienced graduate students, or business professionals.
You are welcome to submit your application for any roles you are interested in. There will also be the opportunity to share in your interviews which roles you would be willing to consider and which would be your top preference. However, the job postings will have closed before interviews begin, so we would encourage you to save the role descriptions for the opportunities you would be interested in learning more about.
In the past, some have chosen to raise support for their internships or fellowships. If you choose to do this, HOPE may share resources such as sample fundraising letters to help you in this process.
Yes, quite a few HOPE staff members first came to HOPE through an internship or fellowship! However, a job is not guaranteed as a result of your internship or fellowship.
There is no typical day! Some interns will work primarily from an office setting while others may have opportunities to travel into the field. Interns and fellows who work from our office in Lancaster, PA may have opportunities to connect with teammates in person over lunch, a game of ping-pong, or joining team meetings like staff prayer. Interns and fellows who work remotely have opportunities to connect with teammates and other interns virtually though scheduled meetings like book studies, connect times, leadership sessions, and more!
HOPE looks first for candidates who exhibit an active and vibrant relationship with Christ and demonstrate commitment to serving families who have been marginalized. An ideal candidate has experience leading others, whether on campus, in their church, or in the community as well as a desire to serve. An ideal candidate also has excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as international experience, specifically in the developing world. Finally, an ideal candidate is a lifelong learner—someone who gets excited by continually learning new things and is actively pursuing knowledge.
HOPE International’s internship and fellowship program is a competitive one, and we anticipate large applicant pools each year. Interns and fellows who have completed more semesters of college tend to contribute more professionalism, maturity, independence, and confidence in the workplace. Also, they have received more relevant coursework in their major, better preparing them for their specific work here.
We work to help provide interns and fellows with low-cost housing options. For example, occasionally staff members or supporters of HOPE will open their homes to host interns and fellows. Sometimes interns and fellows may stay over the summer on a local college campus, or some interns may choose to pay a higher rent to live in a preferred area or with their friends. Accommodations for interns and fellows will vary according to several factors such as time of year, funding, availability of host homes, and transportation needs, but it is ultimately up to the intern or fellow to determine the option that works best for them.
Absolutely! Each of our internship and fellowship openings are unique and favor different areas of expertise. At HOPE, we believe it’s important to evaluate a candidate as a whole. We want an individual with the heart of a missionary, the mind of a businessperson, and the soul of a development worker. We have had interns and fellows with majors in English, social work, economics, international studies, foreign languages, and many more
We offer a living stipend of $500 per month. Some interns and fellows raise funds to help cover additional living costs.
At HOPE, our efforts to love and serve families in poverty are rooted in our allegiance to our Lord and Savior and our desire to see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Believing that true transformation can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ, HOPE engages in culturally appropriate discipleship in each of the countries in which we work. HOPE is committed to hiring Christian staff and equipping them to be disciple makers in their communities, and we seek to partner with local churches in each of our areas of operation to provide those we serve with ongoing discipleship and support.
Staff members in the U.S. share in times of prayer and devotions four days a week. Often, individual departments take that a step further. The administration team meets weekly for Bible study and prayer. These are just a few examples of how we encourage one another to grow in our relationships with God.
We offer HOPE Trips throughout the year to several countries of operation, and we’d love for you to join us! Learn more at hopetrips.org.
The HOPE network includes HOPE-managed programs and partners in Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Malawi, Moldova, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Congo, Romania, Rwanda, Uganda, Ukraine, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. HOPE also serves in a country in Asia whose name has been withheld for security.
Homes for HOPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that invites members of the building industry to do what they do best—build a home—to help alleviate global poverty. H4H helps builders recruit their trade partners—subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants—to build a Home for HOPE on a largely pro bono basis (donated labor, materials, and consulting services). Builders contribute their net revenue, typically between $40,000 and $300,000, to HOPE once the home is sold.
After researching opportunities in the Dominican Republic, HOPE decided to partner with an existing organization, Esperanza International, in May 2005. Though structurally distinct organizations, HOPE and Esperanza are like-minded in our commitment to holistic development with a special emphasis on church partnerships and spiritual growth. Many HOPE supporters experience Christ-centered economic development firsthand through a HOPE Trip to visit the men and women Esperanza serves in the Dominican Republic.
In many countries, we partner with other organizations to effectively minister to physical and spiritual poverty in underserved areas. We believe that like-minded partnerships can maximize resources, avoid unnecessary duplication, and glorify God. All HOPE-network partners benefit from access to funding, strategic planning, technical assistance, leadership development, capacity building, lateral learning opportunities, spiritual integration guidance and accountability, and prayer support.
No. We are a non-denominational, Christ-centered nonprofit organization that works in collaboration with many different churches and church denominations.
Loan sizes vary significantly by country. HOPE typically provides loans ranging from $100 to $2,000, a catalyst that can help people develop a small business that can provide their families with food, schooling, and housing. Some HOPE programs also provide larger small-and-medium-enterprise (SME) loans to entrepreneurs with a strong repayment history who are ready to scale their businesses. These loans range from $5,000 to $40,000 and help men and women create jobs and provide quality goods and services to their communities.
HOPE’s commitment to discipleship begins with our staff. Believing we cannot share what we do not have, HOPE is committed to hiring women and men with a demonstrated personal relationship with Christ. Opportunities for continued discipleship—such as regular times of prayer, devotions, and spiritual retreats—help our staff grow as disciples. Because most HOPE-network staff members are local to the areas they serve, they are aware of appropriate, culturally effective ways to share the Gospel. Each program or partner develops intentional strategies for deepening relationships with the men and women they serve and looking for opportunities to meet their needs. As they deepen relationships, HOPE-network staff share the Gospel as the Holy Spirit allows. Programs also develop intentional strategies to encourage those who are already believers to grow in faith and obedience and to equip them for greater impact in their communities. Throughout this process, HOPE is committed to working in partnership with the local church, believing that ongoing spiritual formation and discipleship is best done in relationship with the local body of Christ.
Because HOPE invests in dreams, the people we serve invest in business ideas based on their own creativity, passions, and local know-how. Typical business activities include running small restaurants or grocery stores; growing crops and raising animals; selling produce, clothing, small electronics, or baked goods; and providing services like sewing, haircuts, and car repair.
One of HOPE’s organizational values is to operate in places underserved by other organizations or institutions. This value comes with inherent complications, whether it be ongoing conflict, a high cost of living, currency devaluation, corruption, or underdeveloped infrastructure. Operations don’t always function as smoothly in these conditions, but we believe these are the places God has called us to serve.
Before we consider expanding, we first want to ensure that HOPE-network programs are centered on Christ and operating with quality. Within countries where we already serve, HOPE seeks to grow in a responsible manner that capitalizes on our knowledge of the working environment and the culture of a given area. When we do consider entering new countries, we prioritize areas underserved by Christ-centered financial services, and we look for like-minded church partners or local ministries, which are essential to HOPE’s model. Because of the number of inquiries we receive, we are unfortunately unable to respond to individual requests for partnership.
The process varies across programs and partners. In group lending programs, HOPE relies on social collateral, in which groups of people cross-guarantee each other’s loans. As a result, people form groups with those they believe are capable and trustworthy. Loan officers provide training on how to manage a loan, and they work with the group to review a variety of factors in the approval process. For those receiving individual loans, loan officers work with that individual to review business plans, amount requested, the current economic market, repayment history, etc. In savings groups, where members save their own money together, the group decides if and when to loan to one another from their pooled savings.
HOPE provides loans to people in poverty regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or marital status. There is no financial benefit or preferential treatment associated with conversion to faith in Christ.
Once HOPE-managed microfinance institutions (MFIs) become operationally self-sufficient, with local income covering local operating costs, they tithe 10% of proceeds to support local programs for children and youth. As much as possible, the MFI selects children’s programs carried out in collaboration with the local church. This commitment began with the Tomorrow Clubs. More than a quarter of a million children have heard the Gospel through the Tomorrow Clubs.
HOPE-network microfinance institutions have a loan repayment rate of 97% over the past five years.
HOPE serves people living in poverty regardless of their race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or marital status. There are no financial benefits or preferential treatment associated with conversion to faith in Christ.
Yes, HOPE-network programs and partners charge an interest rate that will eventually enable each microfinance institution (MFI) to become self-sufficient—ensuring that we’ll be able to serve entrepreneurs for the long term. Interest rates reflect their local context and are competitive and appropriate for HOPE-network areas of operation. When a HOPE program reaches self-sufficiency, it first contributes 10% of profits to local children’s ministries, then invests in reaching more men and women or innovating with products to serve people better, including lowering interest rates whenever possible.
The main sources of HOPE’s funding are individuals, churches, private or family foundations, and the Homes for HOPE program. HOPE does not solicit government funding. See our Form 990 for details.
Still have questions? Read more frequently asked questions.
At HOPE International, we invest in the dreams of families in the world's underserved communities as we proclaim and live the Gospel.
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