Starting & Funding Your Internship Program

Before Beginning Your Internship Program

  • The job description will be tailored to the intern's gifts and interests.

    See a sample here.

  • The Canada Covenant is excited to support organizations' internship programs, but the grant amount covers only a portion of the costs.

    See details about funding below.

  • The agreement documents all the details of the internship experience. Doing this at the beginning of the internship can help avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

    See a sample agreement here.

  • Key Leaders affirm your internship program and are well-informed about its vision, timeline, job description, and costs. The goal is to launch the program with broad-based support.

  • Conducting a formal interview with the intern(s) underscores the importance of the experience and opportunity. The internship agreement can be shared, discussed, and signed after the interview.

    See sample interview questions.

Having a Successful Internship Program

  • In a worship service or another appropriate venue, introduce the intern, invite them to share a brief testimony, and offer a prayer of blessing.

  • Establish weekly rhythms of ministry, reflection, learning, and Sabbath for your intern.

  • Exploring the vocation of ministry will raise many questions about theology, interpersonal dynamics, faith, and leadership. Regular meetings with a supportive supervisor are essential for deeper learning.

  • Share stories of success with your intern. Pray regularly for your intern.

  • As the internship nears its end, prepare to conclude it well. Have the intern write a reflection paper on their experience and share it with their supervisor. See sample questions here. Have the intern meet with church leaders to discuss what they learned. Have the intern share in worship or another venue what God did in their life during the internship. Celebrate and give thanks to God.

Funding and Budget Details

The Canada Covenant Internship Grant Program funds each intern as follows:

Suggested funding formula for the church. The Canada Covenant encourages churches/organizations to have the intern work at least 16 hours per week, ideally 20. Additionally, grant approval is based on the church/organization paying the intern at least the provincial minimum wage, ideally more if possible.

  • Provincial Minimum wage x Minimum hours per week (16) x times number of weeks in the month.


    Example:

    • March cost for a church/organization in BC.

    $18.25 (Min. Wage) x 16 (Min. Hours) x 4.4 (Weeks in March) = $1284

    • The Canada Covenant will provide a monthly grant of $1,000.

    • The cost to the church for the month of March would be $284 or more if the intern is paid more than the minimum wage.


    Each Internship Session (Fall/Winter) lasts 4 months. Compensation costs can be calculated based on four months of grant funding.

  • Housing. It is a kind gesture for the church/organization to assist the intern with housing costs during the internship. Or provide housing if possible.

    Meals. Any ministry-related expenses need to be reimbursed.

The church/organization is responsible for the intern's payroll. The Canada Covenant cannot process the church/organization's payroll for the intern.

Take the next step.

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