Foundation Events Intern - Summer 2027 Semester

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is seeking an energetic internship to gain hands-on experience in coordinating health‑care fundraising events. You will assist with timelines, vendor coordination, volunteer management, guest lists, and on-site execution, while supporting donor communications and post‑event analysis.

The role requires strong organizational skills, excellent communication, and the ability to work both independently and with a team in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Completed coursework in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, hospitality, or business.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with professionalism and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and in a team within a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to data, guest lists, and logistics with integrity and discretion.
• Customer service mindset with positive guest/donor experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with CRM/event platforms.

Responsibilities

• Assist with event timelines and project plans.
• Coordinate with venues, vendors, and caterers.
• Coordinate volunteer efforts including recruitment, scheduling, and on-site management.
• Manage event logistics such as room setups, A/V, and signage.
• Maintain guest lists, RSVPs, and registration systems.
• Prepare briefing documents and run-of-show schedules.
• Support donor communications with planning, confirmations, and follow-ups.
• Assist with post-event reporting and analysis.
• Prepare auction items, pledge materials, or donation tools.
• Support on-site event execution and general events team administration.
• Participate in offsite Mary Free Bed events some evenings and weekends.

Skills

Nonprofit management

Communications

Marketing

Hospitality

Business

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Relevant coursework in nonprofit management/communications/marketing/hospitality/business

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

CRM systems

Event platforms

Job description

Essential Job Responsibilities

The internship will provide hands-on opportunities to learn and participate in various aspects of events with a strong emphasis on fundraising in health care. Duties include:

• Assist with event timelines and project plans
• Support coordination with venues, vendors, and caterers
• Support end-to-end volunteer coordination for events, including recruitment, communication, scheduling, on‑site management, and post‑event recognition
• Help manage event logistics such as room setups, A/V needs, and signage
• Maintain guest lists, RSVP tracking, and registration systems
• Assist with preparing briefing documents and run‑of‑show schedules
• Support donor communications, including communication plan drafting, confirmations, and follow‑ups
• Support post‑event reporting and analysis
• Help prepare auction items, pledge materials, or donation tools
• Help with on‑site event execution including event setup, teardown, communication with vendors and guests
• Provide general administrative help to the events team
• Participation in offsite Mary Free Bed events on some evenings and weekends will be required
• We’ll embrace all people by:
  • Treating everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Opening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed.
  • Growing talent and people.
  • Ensuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
  • Taking action against discrimination.
  • Honoring our differences and how we collaborate.
  • Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for.
  • Restoring hope and freedom, together.

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discreetly and sensitively with confidential information.

Contributes by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promotes patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Completed coursework in a relevant field such as nonprofit management, communications, marketing, hospitality, business, or a related area. Student should be at least a junior or senior at an accredited four‑year college or university.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to professionalism and detail
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, especially in managing guest lists, data, and logistics
• Customer service mindset with the ability to provide a positive and professional guest and/or donor experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); familiarity with CRM systems or event platforms is a plus
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and integrity

Academic Requirements and Work Schedule

40 hours per week for a 12-16 week period. Actual hours and duration of internship will be determined at the time of position being awarded.

• This internship will promote learning for specific learning goals related to managing risk in health care administration as noted in intern essential functions above.
• All Interns are supervised.
• Interns are required to work a certain number of hours, but intern supervisor will work with each intern to be sure the hours do not conflict with academic participation in classes.
• Each Intern will receive a formal evaluation midway and at end of internship time period in relation to each interns specific learning goals.
• Mary Free Bed may work with each intern's academic institution to determine academic credit that can be earned, but that is not a requirement. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital reserves the right determine that requirements for complying with academic requirements for internship credit are beyond what the supervisor or department can reasonably provide.

All interns are expected to follow all policies and procedures of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Failure to follow Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital policies and procedures can lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination of the internship. If an intern is terminated the stipend may be reduced by proration to the date of termination.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification.

Compensation

$18/hour

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels

• Able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally
• Able to lift, carry, push, pull, up to 10 pounds occasionally
• Able to sit for the majority of the time, but may involve brief periods of time involving walking or standing.
• Able to use keyboard frequently

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.