Development Intern - Corporate Relations (Fall 2026 - Unpaid)

Middle East Institute; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 17,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hands-on fundraising experience

Mentorship from development pros

Networking opportunities

Job summary

Middle East Institute is offering a Development Intern – Corporate Relations in Washington, DC. You will work with the Associate Director to grow MEI's Corporate Council and gain hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising and donor relations.

The internship emphasizes prospect research, outreach, CRM management, and coordinating donor events, with mentorship from seasoned development professionals and opportunities to engage with corporate partners in the region.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or recent graduate of relevant bachelor program.
• Interest in fundraising, corporate partnerships, or nonprofit development.
• Excellent communication, organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong research and analytical abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; CRM experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prospect research to identify potential corporate partners and funding opportunities.
• Assist with outreach to prospective and current Corporate Council members.
• Help maintain accurate donor and prospect records in Salesforce.
• Support planning and execution of Corporate Council meetings and donor events.
• Prepare briefing materials, donor profiles, meeting notes, and follow-up communications.
• Research corporate giving trends and identify opportunities for new partnerships.
• Assist with stewardship activities and donor communications coordination.
• Provide general administrative and operational support for Corporate Relations initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

CRM experience

Self-motivated

Education

Bachelor's in IR/Political Science/Business/Communications/Nonprofit Management/Marketing

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

About Middle East Institute Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute is the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated solely to the study of the Middle East. It is a non-partisan think tank providing expert policy analysis, educational and professional development services, and a hub for engaging with the region's arts and culture.

About Middle East Institute Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute is the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated solely to the study of the Middle East. It is a non-partisan think tank providing expert policy analysis, educational and professional development services, and a hub for engaging with the region's arts and culture.

Development Intern – Corporate Relations

As a Development Intern supporting Corporate Relations, you will assist with corporate donor engagement, prospect research, outreach, and stewardship efforts. You will work closely with the Associate Director for Corporate Relations to help grow and strengthen MEI's Corporate Council while gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising and relationship management.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct prospect research to identify potential corporate partners and funding opportunities.
• Assist with outreach to prospective and current Corporate Council members.
• Help maintain accurate donor and prospect records in Salesforce.
• Support the planning and execution of Corporate Council meetings, briefings, conferences, and other donor engagement events.
• Assist with preparing briefing materials, donor profiles, meeting notes, and follow-up communications.
• Research corporate giving trends and identify opportunities for new partnerships.
• Assist with stewardship activities, including tracking engagement and helping coordinate donor communications.
• Provide general administrative and operational support for Corporate Relations initiatives as needed.

Educational Objectives

• Gain hands-on experience in corporate fundraising and donor relations within a nonprofit organization.
• Develop skills in prospect research, relationship management, donor stewardship, and CRM database management.
• Learn best practices in corporate partnership development and strategic outreach.
• Gain exposure to the fundraising operations of a leading think tank focused on the Middle East.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or a recent graduate of a bachelor's program in International Relations, Political Science, Business, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Marketing, or a related field.
• Strong interest in fundraising, corporate partnerships, nonprofit development, or the Middle East.
• Excellent communication, organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong research and analytical abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office (Salesforce or other CRM experience is a plus).
• Self-motivated, organized, and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising and corporate donor relations.
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced development professionals.
• Exposure to corporate partnership strategy and donor engagement.
• Networking opportunities within the nonprofit and corporate sectors.