Paid internships in fundraising, donor relations, and grant writing are excellent opportunities to learn about the nonprofit sector while gaining valuable experience. These positions can be found at a variety of organizations, from small nonprofits to large foundations. Here are our top picks:
UNICEF
UNICEF offers paid internships in a variety of areas, including fundraising and donor relations. Interns can work with UNICEF’s Education Cannot Wait Fund to help staff understand the best ways to implement funds and connect with donors to ensure ECW plans are being implemented effectively. Some UNICEF interns can also work with the Public Partnerships division to research donor engagement strategies and understand fundraising techniques.
Interns with UNICEF must currently be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate school or have completed a degree within two years. All interns must be proficient in English and may be required to be proficient an another language, as well. Knowledge of a second language is preferred. Research and analytical skills are highly desired, as is an interest in background in international development or related work. Internship stipends vary based on location, position, and time spent in the office.
Congressional Hunger Center
Interns with the Congressional Hunger Center are placed in a variety of areas, including development and fundraising. Over a 10-week period, interns are placed with host organizations that are working to end domestic and global hunger. They become an integral part of capacity-building for many of the organizations that benefit from the internship program. In addition to the internship, interns also participate in Hunger Center leadership development curriculum and summer seminars. At the end of the summer, interns give a presentation on the state of hunger in their home communities and propose solutions. Potential interns can indicate their interest in development and fundraising on their application.
Hunger Center interns are paid a stipend to cover living expenses in Washington, DC. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program or a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree (within 1 year). Relevant work experience in policy, advocacy, fundraising, or a related field is preferred. Students must also be able to write about their interest in issues relating to hunger and in working in Washington, DC.
ALSAC for St. Jude Children’s Hospital
American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC) for St. Jude Children’s Hospital offers a paid internship program each semester. Interns work with staff members to develop fundraising strategies and implementing fundraising events throughout the country. They also work to help ALSAC better understand how to support and increase donors. Interns work part-time (20 hours a week) and are placed in one of the many regional offices throughout the US.
Interns must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Strong communication skills are preferred, including ability to use Microsoft Office. They must demonstrate an ability to maintain confidentiality. Applicants will be asked to fill out a questionnaire to determine if they meet the internship program requirements. Interns are paid for their 20 hours of work per week.
Clean Water Action
Clean Water Action offers a paid internship. Interns can work in the field or over the phone to conduct advocacy and fundraising for Clean Water Action’s programs and policy recommendations. Interns work alongside staff to conduct outreach, engage communities, educate the public, and build support. Interns will carry out these tasks by raising funds, gaining signatures, promoting community action, and providing communication to people outside of mass media.
Interns must demonstrate strong communication skills, a commitment to environmental issues and Clean Water Action’s general stance on policies, and an interest in non-profit development. Interns will be paid for both their work and their training, and they may be able to earn course credits for the work. High-performing interns are often considered for full-time employment following their internships.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross offers part-time paid internships in a variety of positions, including in the areas of fundraising, donor relations, and related fields. Positions are offered depending on needs. Interns help with many tasks in the office, including research on strategy, analyzing data, creating and maintaining databases, developing relevant materials, and other unit-specific responsibilities.
Interns participate in a 10-week program throughout the summer at the national headquarters in Washington, DC as well as regional offices around the US; paid interns are typically expected to work 40 hours a week during the summer. Other intern cycles are available throughout the year. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at the time of the internship.
American Autism Association (AAA)
The American Autism Association has paid internships in the fall, summer, and spring in the areas of Community Outreach and Marketing. Interns help with community engagement activities, research to inform donors and parents, fundraising campaigns and strategies, and more. The internship program is designed to help participants gain leadership skills and gain exposure to various aspects of the workplace.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Doctors Without Borders paid internship program is offered through its New York office in three cycles throughout the year. Interns can work in a variety of areas, including fundraising and major gifts. Interns in these areas help manage donor databases, develop and implement fundraising campaigns, plan events, and carry out other tasks related to development.
MSF’s internship program is available in three cycles throughout the year. Interns are paid $15 per hour. Applicants must be eligible to work in the US. Interns are responsible for covering their own costs to relocate to New York for the internship period.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International offers paid internships at their London, New York, and Washington, DC offices. Interns can help in various fields, including those related to fundraising and development. Interns may gather data on impact for fundraising and advocacy campaigns, plan fundraising events, track donors, and more. Internship positions are available as needed.
Applicants for Amnesty’s internship program should be a junior or senior in an undergraduate program or in a graduate program. Recent graduates may also apply. Other qualifications vary based on each position’s specific tasks. Interns are responsible for relocating to the city in which the internship is located.
UNHCR
UNHCR offers paid internships in many areas, including fundraising, development, and similar fields. In these types of positions, interns will help with managing donor databases, coordinate and plan fundraising events, assist in organizing workshops and meetings, conduct research and analysis, and more. Internships are located at Geneva, Switzerland headquarters or in one of UNHCR’s country offices.
Internship applicants must be current undergraduate/graduate students or have completed a degree within a year of applying. They also must have completed at least two years of an undergraduate program in a related field. Fluency in English is required; fluency in French or other UN languages is desired. Applicants should have an interest in refugees and knowledge surrounding issues relating to refugees.
International Federation of Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies (IFRC)
IFRC has a comprehensive internship program, offering participants experience in a variety of fields, including development. Internship positions are available at any of IFRC’s locations on an as needed basis. In addition to getting fundraising experience, interns will also be able to participate in workshops, networking opportunities, and online courses. IFRC pays interns a stipend to cover living expenses during the internship period. Internships are typically full time.
To be eligible for an internship, applicants must be currently enrolled in university or a recent graduate. Students must speak fluent English and fluency in another IFRC language (French, Spanish, and Arabic) is preferable.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
ICRC offers 80 paid traineeships in their departments, including Communication and Information Management and Operations. All of these positions are offered in the headquarters office in Geneva. Trainees gain experience in fundraising, donor and data management, event and campaign planning, and more. In addition to hands-on experience, participants also have access to ICRC’s online learning platform and various training opportunities. All trainees will receive a salary of SFR 3000 per month.
Traineeship applicants must have completed a degree in a related field and have no more than one year of professional experience. Traineeships are for a period of 1 year. Fluency in English is required, and some positions may require or prefer fluency in another language, such as French.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
CRS offers fall, summer, and spring internships, including part-time and full-time paid positions for a duration of at least 10 weeks. Paid positions are based in the US headquarters. Positions are offered in a variety of fields on an as-needed basis, including development and donor engagement. Interns in this will be involved in donor research and data management, database organization, record keeping and gathering, and other related administrative tasks.
CRS interns must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program or have graduated within a year. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs is required, as is fluency in English. Some positions may also require fluency in additional language.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The ACLU offers paid internships in many fields, including fundraising and development. Internships are full-time for a period of 10 weeks, and all interns receive a stipend. Interns in this area will enter donor data, assist with communications, conduct research on donors and fundraising strategies, and more.
Some internships are open for applications, while others are reserved for undergraduate/graduate students only. Strong communication and Microsoft Office skills are required. For internship positions open to any applicants, professional experience is preferred.
Hello Neighbor
Hello Neighbor offers paid internships based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA in a variety of areas including fundraising. Interns work at least 24 hours a week in the summer cycle and at least 16 hours a week in the fall and spring cycles. Fundraising interns will help with outreach and development strategy, donor engagement, database management, event planning, and more.
Applicants must have proficiency in Microsoft Office, background and child abuse clearances, and an ability to occasionally work nights and weekends. An interest in working with refugees and immigrants is preferred.
Transaid
Transaid offers a paid internship in fundraising based in London, UK. This internship is a part-time position for a duration of at least 3 months. Interns are paid a London living wage. The intern will be involved in donor relations management and engagement, fundraising strategy, research and analysis of fundraising trends and techniques, manage related databases, and more. This position is offered on an as-needed basis.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK. Research skills and Microsoft Office skills are also essential for this role. Knowledge of UK systems and industries is preferred, as is an interest in international development.
Prostate Cancer Research Centre
The Prostate Cancer Research Centre offers paid internships in a variety of areas on an as-needed basis (find these positions on CharityJob.co.uk). Fundraising interns gain significant experience in the area of development. Tasks include record maintenance and database management, drafting funding applications, researching grant-making trusts, relationship building, and more. Positions are generally full-time for a salary of around £21,000.
Interns must have strong communication and research skills, as well as Microsoft Office experience. CRM database knowledge is strongly preferred.
Playworks
Playworks offers paid internships in a variety of areas, including fundraising and development and grant support. Paid internships require a 6-12 month commitment with a stipend or completion award; locations vary. In development internship positions, participants will research, write, and submit grant proposals; manage current grants; manage donor and funder data; create and submit reports; create materials for donor solicitation; and many more related tasks.
Applicants must be at least in their sophomore year of a degree program in education, health, management or a related field. Graduate students can also apply. Familiarity with Google Drive and Salesforce is preferred.
International Women’s Health Coalition
IWHC offers paid internships in a variety of fields, including fundraising. Internships are based in New York and Washington, DC. Interns assist with research and analysis, fundraising strategy development, database and data management, preparing and drafting reports, and more. Hourly pay is $15, and most positions are part-time. Internships generally last for 4-6 months.
Internship applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in a related field. Fluency in English and proficiency in Microsoft Office are required. An interest in public health, women’s rights, and international policy is preferred, as is proficiency in a second language.
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
EESI offers a paid internship in development. Internships are part-time for a duration of 10-12 weeks, and pay is $14 an hour. Development interns will research potential funding sources, develop marketing strategies and materials, assist with grant proposal opportunities, manage and enter data, and more.
Internship applicants should be undergraduate students in their junior or senior year pursuing a degree in a related field. Professionals changing careers are also welcome to apply. Experience with Microsoft Office and database software is preferred, as is an interest in environmental issues.
Gallup
Gallup offers paid internships in business development in a variety of locations around the world. Interns in the business development department help with developing strategies, establishing leads, communicating via multiple channels, building relationships with funders, and more. Internships durations and hours vary; summer interns are expected to work full-time for approximately 10 weeks.
Internship applicants must be enrolled as a junior in an undergraduate degree program. Sales and fundraising experience is preferred. Interns must be authorized to work full-time in the country of internship.
