Our Story
Shifting teen volunteerism experiences from obligatory one-off service days to meaningful skill-based internships that inspire a lifetime of continued volunteerism.
"I couldn't find a meaningful internship as a teen — so I built one. For myself, and for everyone who came after me."
— Ellie Zimmerman, Founder, age 15
A Sophomore With a Big Idea
Ellie Zimmerman was a 15-year-old high school sophomore in New York when she tried to find a meaningful internship. Every door she knocked on was closed — organizations either didn't take teens, required in-person work, or offered nothing more than filing papers. Frustrated but undeterred, Ellie asked a simple question: what if students like her could use their digital skills to actually help nonprofits? She founded Interns 4-Good with a laptop, a vision, and a lot of determination. The first cohort was small. The idea was enormous.
COVID Changes Everything — and We Adapt
When the pandemic shut down the world, Interns 4-Good leaned in. With schools closed and families struggling, the team launched a free virtual tutoring program and a virtual summer camp for children who had nowhere to go. Over 600 kids were served. Interns stepped up as tutors, counselors, and mentors — proving that a student-run org could respond to a national crisis with speed and heart. The pivot to fully virtual operations also opened the door to students and nonprofits across the entire country.
A Year of Recognition
2021 was a breakthrough year. Interns 4-Good received a $120,000 Google grant — a massive validation of the model and a fuel injection for growth. Ellie was named a Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honoree, won the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, was recognized as New York's Top Youth Volunteer, and received the Points of Light Volunteer of the Day Award. The organization was featured in Forbes Magazine. None of it changed the mission — it just meant more students could be reached.
Growth Beyond Anything We Imagined
The community exploded. Membership grew to 20,000+ high school interns and volunteers. The nonprofit partner network expanded to 350+ organizations across the United States — from small community groups to nationally recognized names like Khan Academy. Interns contributed skills in graphic design, web development, marketing, writing, video production, and education. The org remained entirely student-run, a fact that never stopped being remarkable.
Leadership, Legacy, and Transition
Courtney Stringer stepped into the CEO role, bringing operational excellence and a deep commitment to the mission. Under her leadership, the organization continued to grow and deepen its impact. Ellie, now in college, remained a guiding presence. The team worked to document everything — the lesson plans, the partnerships, the processes — so that the knowledge built over six years wouldn't disappear. 140+ lesson plans were recorded. The foundation was solid.
A Proud Sunset
After seven years, Interns 4-Good is closing its doors. Not because it failed — but because it succeeded. The students it empowered are now in college, in careers, in leadership roles. The nonprofits it served are stronger. The model it proved — that high schoolers can do real, meaningful work — is now part of the conversation. We close with gratitude, with pride, and with the knowledge that every intern who found their voice here carries this mission forward.
See the impact we made together.
From skill areas to partner spotlights to the people who made it all happen.
Explore Our Impact