The Make-A-Wish internship program is designed for current undergraduate or graduate students who have a goal of being a leader in the non-profit sector. The purpose of the internship program is to help undergraduate and/or graduate students further cultivate their skills through a real-life work experience.
The Development Operations Intern works in close relationship with the following teams: annual fund, donor relations, and prospect research. will provide an opportunity to contribute to numerous fundraising and donor relations initiatives. The Annual Fund team secures financial support through personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies throughout the year. The Annual Fund team focuses on middle donors - including individuals, small businesses, and corporate and family foundations - and utilizes giving methods that include wish sponsorship, direct mail contributions and face-to-face appointments. The Donor Relations team serves as a support function for all chapters, the Development department at the National Office and National donors of all levels. The Donor Relations team manages relationship activities and strategies which are meaningful to donors, appropriate to their level of giving, and consistent with the Foundation’s fundraising goals and overall strategic plan. The Prospect Development team focuses on providing research on donors and chapters to aid in decision making; and serves to connect the right donors with the right philanthropy advisors at the right time to enhance fundraising efforts.
Throughout the internship, duties and responsibilities could include:
- Maintaining donor records in the Raiser’s Edge database
- Preparing solicitation and donor relations mailings
- Compiling data to plan new fundraising strategies
- Conducting research to create donor profiles
- Some knowledge of the non-profit sector, fundraising, and Raiser’s Edge (or another donor database), either through coursework or professional experience
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to confidently and clearly communicate information verbally and in writing
- Strong attention to detail in data maintenance and project organization
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with information and excellent customer service skills
- Some experience using InDesign or a comparable design program preferred
- Proficiency in MS Suite (Excel specifically) and internet research tools (such as LexisNexis)
- Some volunteer experience preferred, although not required
- Knowledge of and experience with the Make-A-Wish mission and service population is preferred.