Internships That Make a Difference
The SAF program encourages young Unitarian Universalists from Long Island to live their religious values through internships at nonprofits dedicated to social action, advocacy, or service.
Welcome! The Student Activity Fund (SAF) is a grant program that enables high school seniors, college students, and gap-year students from Long Island Unitarian Universalist congregations to perform significant service to the community while earning money to help finance their education.
The program—now in its 50th year!—encourages young UUs to live their
religious values and gain awareness of society's social and economic problems
through internships at nonprofit agencies that focus on social action, advocacy,
and social services. SAF is a LIAC-sponsored grant program funded by the UU Veatch Program at Shelter Rock.
Apply for the Summer 2024 SAF internship program by clicking the button below. The application deadline is Sunday, May 12. There will be a mandatory SAF Intern Orientation on Sunday, May 19, which includes an inspiring Leadership Workshop. This year, we return to in-person orientation!
To participate in the 2024-2025 SAF program, you must be:
AND one of the following:
SAF Intern
Find more program resources including:
To be eligible for the SAF internship program, the nonprofit organization must have one or more of the following goals:
Note: Students cannot receive SAF award money as a volunteer for a political candidate or party campaign, according to SAF’s guidelines as a religious nonprofit program.
Access the Supervisor Service Agreement.
If your organization has been chosen by an SAF intern and approved by SAF, please fill out the forms below (one before the internship and one after).
If your nonprofit is interested in being added to the list of approved SAF internship placement options, email SAF Program Director Crystal Berger.
If SAF interns would like guidance in finding an appropriate nonprofit to approach, they are encouraged to contact SAF Program Director Crystal Berger at SAF@liacuu.org.
Please contact us at SAF@liacuu.org for more info.
SAF is first and foremost a summer internship program. If there is grant money still available at the end of summer, interns may participate in the program with limited hours during the 2024-25 school year, pending the approval of the SAF Director.
The interns may work in person or online, anywhere in the world.
Yes, as long as the organizations are approved by the SAF Director and the combined hours do not exceed the seasonal time limits.
“I look forward to making a greater contribution to future generations in every place I can, with all the zeal I can, for as long as I can."
Crystal Berger, a native of Elmont, joined SAF as Program Director in March 2023, bringing over a decade of experience coordinating student internship programs across Nassau County. Growing up, Crystal’s multiracial, multiethnic identity enabled her to employ empathy, compassion, and understanding to develop meaningful interpersonal connections with people of all backgrounds. The experiences that colored her upbringing also highlighted numerous, glaring socioeconomic and racial disparities here on Long Island. An impassioned community organizer, she is excited to empower Unitarian Universalist youth and young adults to impact their communities by putting their faith into action and achieving the most comprehensive learning experience possible as they undertake internships in the fields of social action, advocacy, and service. Learn more about Crystal.
Long Island Area Council of UU Congregations
28 Brentwood Road, Bay Shore, New York 11706, United States
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