This summer, the Marshfield Area Community Foundation introduced a new internship program, supporting the organization and connecting young adults to the importance of community leadership, partnership, and philanthropy. Our 2026 intern, Ava Conrad, is studying Community and Organizational Development at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Ava handpicked the community foundation for her required internship, identifying an opportunity to both earn academic credit and contribute to a mission she valued.
Throughout her time with the foundation, Ava had the opportunity to support various aspects of programming, including community grants, volunteer efforts, partner communication, and meeting donors. She also shadowed Executive Director Kaelie Gomez as she served through Rotary, gaining understanding for the interconnectedness of organizations, which also connects to area nonprofits, schools, and civic groups, working together to serve the region.
“It’s been so good to have these connections and see all the little projects that are budding in the community,” Ava shared. “Seeing how knit our community is together… is really cool.”
She particularly leaned into the scholarship program specifically as she was a student recently applying for scholarships herself, desiring to build connections between local students, educators, and application opportunities. An independent project was selected based on a question that piqued her curiosity: Why are fewer students applying for scholarships, even when those awards can make education more accessible?
Drawing on her own experience as a scholarship applicant, Ava recognized that awareness and encouragement can make a meaningful difference. She identified educators as an important connection point. These trusted adults see students every day and can help them recognize that scholarships may be within reach. Her independent project, “Connecting Classroom to Community,” includes an educator toolkit designed to help teachers better understand the Foundation’s scholarship program and share it with students at key moments in the school year. The toolkit provides an overview of the Foundation and scholarship process, helpful local application information, and a timeline that gives educators practical prompts for when to start conversations with students.
The project was shaped by feedback from teachers, including the idea to create a timeline specifically for educators. By starting these conversations early and revisiting them throughout the application season, teachers can help students feel more prepared and supported.
“Some kids who maybe aren’t AP merit students are looking at this and thinking, ‘Well, I’m not going to get anything because I don’t have all A’s,’” Ava explained. “The brochures break the scholarships down into more specific categories… so kids can really see, ‘There are scholarships for every single person.’”
While students complete one application for the Foundation’s scholarship program, these materials will help make the process feel more relevant and approachable. They can be shared by core teachers as well as in the school guidance office, where students can encounter scholarship information while waiting for appointments.
Ava’s internship demonstrates how local experience, student perspective, and community collaboration can come together to improve access to opportunity. Her work will give educators practical tools, help students identify scholarships that fit their goals, and support families as they navigate the cost of post-secondary education.
Just as importantly, it reflects a lesson Ava has taken from her time at the Foundation: communities make a larger impact when they work in coordination.
“In a big area, there can be a million nonprofits trying to do the same thing,” Ava said. “The Foundation is covering the area, and we’re able to get more done because we’re more united.”
We are grateful for Ava’s thoughtful work, curiosity, and commitment to her community. Her project will help ensure that more students understand that a scholarship opportunity may be waiting for them—and that their teachers, schools, and community are ready to help them take the next step.
Ava’s internship was meaningful, as she noted, “gaining experience while also making progress in school credits, too–It’s been really special.”