Philanthropic Communications and Content Intern - IE

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 11,820,000 - 17,730,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Waiver

UREC access

Pet Insurance

Holiday breaks

Talent Development trainings

Job summary

James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA seeks a Philanthropic Communications and Content Intern for the 2026-27 year. This in-person role supports Valley Scholars outreach, newsletters, and CMS work while gaining mentorship in donor engagement and events.

Hours are 10–15 per week, with a late-September 2026 start. Compensation is $16.50 per hour, reporting to the Associate Director and collaborating across teams.

Qualifications

• You must be a current JMU student; any class year or major is welcome to apply.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; this role involves access to sensitive student, alumni and donor information.
• Working knowledge or interest in nonprofit communications, storytelling, marketing, fundraising or first-generation student and alumni engagement.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office is required.
• Knowledge of Cascade CMS, Salesforce CRM, Canva and/or Adobe InDesign is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Valley Scholars Liaison: Project Coordinator and Content Creation (75%).
• Liaise with Valley Scholars program team to connect students and alumni, including a LinkedIn community.
• Support updating alumni records in Salesforce; write and edit a Valley Scholars newsletter.
• Update Valley Scholars web content using Cascade CMS.
• Family Business Symposium: Event Support (15%).
• Collect, write and edit symposium content; assist with event-day logistics.
• Philanthropic Communications Content Support (15%).
• Support content and logistics for Stewardship Luncheon, Giving Day and Women for Madison Summit; help publish articles.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Confidentiality

Nonprofit comms

Microsoft Office

Education

Current JMU student

Tools

Cascade CMS

Salesforce CRM

Canva

InDesign

Job description

Working Title:

Philanthropic Communications and Content Intern - IE

State Role Title:

Philanthropic Communications and Content Intern

Position Type:

Institutional Employment

Position Status:

Part-Time

FLSA Status:

N/A

College/Division:

Advancement Marketing

Department:

100445 - Philanthropic Communications

Pay Rate:

Hourly

Specify Range or Amount:

$16.50

Is this a JMU only position?

No

Is this a grant-funded position?

N/A

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position?

N/A

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

JMU offers several perks to all employees including:

• A Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
• Free Access to the University Recreation Center (UREC): Employees can enjoy facility access and program registration privileges at UREC and University Park. This includes the climbing wall, equipment centers, and group exercise studios.
• A variety of voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft and Legal Protection Plans, and several other supplemental benefits.
• Holiday Breaks: The university is granted 12 holidays a year.
• Talent Development Trainings: The Talent Development department offers a wide variety of personal and professional trainings, eligible for all employees to join.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

JMU's Philanthropic Communications team is looking for a curious, relationship-driven Langridge Fellow to join us for the 2026-27 academic year. In this year-long role, You’ll serve as a liaison to our partner, Valley Scholars, by: helping build a framework for lasting community among their students and alumni; writing stories that inspire giving to the program; and keeping their giving websites up to date. In the spring, you'll support Family Business Symposium, one of Principal Giving's signature donor events.

You will gain hands-on experience building systems for alumni engagement through social media and newsletters, maintaining accurate donor records in Salesforce, and supporting high-touch events, all while developing professional skills through close mentorship and structured supervision.

Hours:

This position is 10-15 hours per week.

Between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, during the semester. (We will determine your work schedule based on your availability.)

This is a year-long commitment for the 2026-27 academic year, starting late-September 2026.

Work Location:

In person, at Sonner Hall (next to Business school)

Compensation:

$16.50/hour

Reports to:

Arushi Sachan, Associate Director of Campaign Communications & Content Strategy

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Valley Scholars Liaison: Project Coordinator and Content Creation (75%)
  • Liaise with the Valley Scholars program team to help build a sustainable framework for connecting current students and alumni, including a LinkedIn community and opportunities for dialogue between the two groups
  • Support processes for capturing and maintaining Valley Scholars alumni contact information while students are still enrolled, working with the registrar to maintain accurate and current alum records in Salesforce
  • Write and edit content for a new Valley Scholars newsletter, in partnership with the Philanthropic Communications team
  • Support the reimagining and consolidation of Valley Scholars web content, and build and update pages using JMU's web-based CMS (Cascade)
• Family Business Symposium: Event Support (15%)
  • Collect, write and edit symposium content for event materials, speaker and attendee bios, and registration emails
  • Assist with event-day logistics
• Philanthropic Communications Content Support (15%)
  • Participate with team on content and logistics for events like Stewardship Luncheon, Giving Day, Women for Madison Summit
  • Assist Associate Director of Content in maintaining JMU Giving website, helping with publishing or updating articles written by freelancer

Qualifications:

• You must be a current JMU student; any class year or major is welcome to apply
• Strong writing and editing skills, with attention to detail
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; this role involves access to sensitive student, alumni and donor information
• Working knowledge or interest in nonprofit communications, storytelling, marketing, fundraising or first-generation student and alumni engagement
• Preferred majors include Media, Arts and Design (SMAD), Communications, Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication (WRTC), Marketing (COB), and/or Hospitality Management, though this is not required
• Knowledge or experience with Microsoft Office is required
• Knowledge of web-based CMS (we use Cascade), Salesforce CRM, and/or graphic design (canva and/or Adobe InDesign) is a plus

Additional Posting Information:

• Be adaptable; willing to take feedback and able to pivot
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills; be comfortable speaking with new people, including donors and alumni, in person, by phone and by email
• Be systems-oriented, organized and able to follow a project through to completion across a full academic year
• Be proactive; bring a can-do attitude and a willingness to jump in, brainstorm and bounce ideas around with the team and partners

What You'll Gain:

• Hands-on experience in philanthropic communications and donor engagement
• Mentorship from professionals in communications and fundraising
• Experience planning events and supporting strategic initiatives
• Opportunities to strengthen writing, storytelling and project management skills
• Exposure to alumni engagement, stewardship and advancement operations

Conditions of Employment:

Students must be degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduate and 5 credits for graduate).

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.