
Colby Scholar Explores Philanthropy Career
Layla Beltran, a sophomore at Colby College majoring in global studies and economics, spent her summer interning with the Brown Foundation, one of Houston’s leading philanthropic institutions and a longtime supporter of community-based initiatives. She is the first Posse Houston Scholar to take part in the program.
During her internship, Layla contributed to projects that gave her insight into how philanthropy operates behind the scenes, blending technical skills with relationship-building to maximize impact.
“One project I’m really proud of was creating a grant portfolio list for the Brown Foundation,” she says. “It allowed me to use Salesforce and Excel to organize and analyze data in a way that will be useful for future grant cycles. Seeing the finished product and knowing it could support the team’s work for years to come was very rewarding.”
Layla said she expected to sharpen her technical skills but was surprised by the importance of collaboration in philanthropy.
“It’s a very collaborative process,” she says. “Beyond funding, the work is about understanding grantees and how to best support them long-term.”
The experience strengthened Layla’s data analysis abilities while also clarifying her career aspirations. “This internship helped me realize how much I value work that is community-driven and impact-focused,” she says.
“I now see myself pursuing a career that combines data analysis with social good, whether in philanthropy or community-based organizations.”
By connecting her academic interests with real-world experience, Layla is charting a path that combines analytical tools with community impact—an approach she plans to carry into her future studies and career.