Foundation Pledges $3M For Drexel Students Eyeing Non-Profit Careers

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A sector of Drexel University's Co-Op program is getting some financial from a local philanthropist.

Drexel announced earlier this week that the Lenfest Foundation has pledged $3 million for co-op students working in the non-profit cultural field.

Rosaline Remer, Executive Director of the University's Center for Cultural Partnerships, says the donation will help bridge a big financial gap by funding eight student co-op jobs a year.

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"Some non-profits are able to pay students who want to go work for them as part of their co-op experience and some, frankly, aren't," she said. "There are a lot of challenges in the arts and culture sector and that makes it difficult to recruit young people."

She says the most of the full-time jobs will pay around $15,000 with benefits for a six month period.

The co-op program is a staple at Drexel, enabling students to get real-world experience in their field of study.