{"id":9379,"date":"2013-10-09T09:59:55","date_gmt":"2013-10-09T14:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.conservators-converse.org\/?p=9379"},"modified":"2013-10-09T09:59:55","modified_gmt":"2013-10-09T14:59:55","slug":"financial-resources-for-pre-program-conservation-interns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resources.culturalheritage.org\/conservators-converse\/2013\/10\/09\/financial-resources-for-pre-program-conservation-interns\/","title":{"rendered":"Financial resources for pre-program conservation interns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Internships are an important part of preparing for graduate training in conservation.\u00a0 They are often volunteer positions and finding ways to manage the financial demands of working without monetary compensation can be a challenge.\u00a0 This is most often the case for pre-program interns but certainly graduate interns and even recent graduates can face similar issues.
\nHere are a few tips and resources for developing a strategy to address these concerns:
\nFunding:\u00a0<\/strong>
\nOf course the best way to make an internship financially viable is to be paid for your work.\u00a0 There are two strategies in applying for funding to cover the expense of your internship: You can apply on your own behalf, as an individual, or you can encourage an institution \u2014 such as a museum or historic site \u2014 with which you\u2019d like to work to apply for funds to host a paid intern.
\nFor individual grants, a good place to start can be with your undergraduate alma mater, even if you are no longer a current student.\u00a0 Most colleges and universities will provide information on available scholarships or grants that might be used towards funding internships as well as information on potential internship opportunities.\u00a0 And don\u2019t forget to represent yourself:\u00a0 There are funding opportunities available specifically for women, minorities, new Americans, non-traditional students, and veterans and their families. The recently established Denese L. Easterly Conservation Training Pre-program Grant<\/a> at Indigo Arts Alliance\u00a0is open to individual applicants for funding for internships as well as other pre-program expenses such as additional required courses, supplies, and more.
\nFor institutional grants, look for funding opportunities at the federal, state, regional, or county level with arts commissions or historic preservation offices. \u00a0 For example, the LA County Arts Commission offers funding<\/a> for a 10-week internship at a \u2018non-profit arts organization\u2019.\u00a0 Check AIC’s \u2018Grants and Scholarships\u2019 page<\/a>, especially the section on \u2018Outside Funding Sources\u2019, as some of those listed are national grants open to institutions and provide money that can be used to host an intern.
\nFinally, if you\u2019re applying for a grant or scholarship, don\u2019t forget to check out AIC\u2019s \u2018Five tips for a successful scholarship application<\/a>\u2019, also available through their \u2018Grants and Scholarships\u2019 page.\u00a0 Grant-writing can be an essential part of work in the non-profit world and developing this skill is always useful.
\nNecessities and considerations:<\/strong>
\nThere are several other aspects to developing a successful strategy for supporting yourself during an internship, paid or volunteer.
\nHealth care:
\nHealth care is essential and finding it affordably priced can be tricky.\u00a0 With the new health care law, people may stay on their parents\u2019 insurance plans until age 26, which is an advantage since family plans tend to be less expensive than those for individuals.\u00a0 It is possible to shop online for insurance options via sites like the federally-supported www.healthcare.gov<\/a> and many states are setting up similar online marketplaces.\u00a0 The amount you pay will depend heavily on the type of coverage you need or want.\u00a0 For example, if you are generally healthy, month-to-month insurance might be a cheaper option though your co-pay and deductible will be higher.\u00a0 Also, if you are interning with an organization that offers health benefits to its employees, you might ask about the cost of purchasing their plan, though it is less likely to be available for volunteers.
\nTaxes:
\nThere are potential tax benefits to being a volunteer intern and it\u2019s important to make the most of these, especially if money is tight.\u00a0 Certain volunteer expenses<\/a> can be deducted on your annual tax return if you are interning for a recognized non-profit or 501(c) organization.\u00a0\u00a0Also, don\u2019t forget to make the most of education credits<\/a> if you are a current student or if you are paying interest on student loans.\u00a0 Lastly, if you need free or low-cost tax help, the IRS provides several options<\/a>.
\nOther types of financial support:
\nIf you are below a certain annual income, you may qualify for food assistance, though eligibility<\/a> varies from state to state.\u00a0 Likewise, some public transportation authorities offer subsidized fare passes for volunteers, low-income members of the community, and\/or in partnership with certain businesses and organizations.
\nExperiences:<\/strong>
\nBased on anecdotal evidence, there is a variety of strategies and resources developed to manage a volunteer, part-time, or low-pay internship.\u00a0 Here are a few from the experience of others:<\/p>\n