Spring 2027 Fundraising Intern

Partnership for Public Service; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

The Partnership for Public Service in Washington, DC offers a Spring 2027 fundraising internship focused on nonprofit fundraising and donor relations. You will learn how to conduct prospect research, cultivate sponsors, and support Partnership programs.

The intern will draft correspondence, assist with meetings, mailings, and track donor interactions in Salesforce. Strong written and verbal communication and attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Identify and research prospective sponsorship, individual gifts and foundation grant opportunities.
• Draft correspondence related to Partnership programs.
• Provide support for internal and external meetings, including note-taking and observation.
• Assist with mailings or email invitation sends.
• Track donor interactions using Salesforce.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Attention to detail

Prospect research

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

FOR SPRING 2027, THE PARTNERSHIP WILL PRIORITIZE HIRING INTERNS FROM THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS:

• Florida International University
• George Mason University
• Ohio State University – John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP)
• Syracuse University – Maxwell School of Public Affairs
• Trinity Washington University
• University of California schools – UCDC Washington Center Program
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Texas at Austin – LBJ School of Public Affairs

ORGANIZATION

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Central to this mission is our work to connect the government with those it serves by protecting it from harm and reimagining the way it works on behalf of the public.

Building on our over 20 years of experience, we:

• Prepare civil servants to navigate an increasingly complex government environment
• Educate and engage the public about the value of government and how eroding its capacity hurts communities nationwide
• Collaborate with a range of stakeholders to advance bold reforms that seek to make our government institutions more effective, responsive, and accountable to the American people
• Equip and advise government leaders at the federal, state, and local levels to develop critical skills for effective public service.

Our staff, diverse in experience and perspective, is mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic, and inclusive. Our work is strategic, fast‑paced and guided by our values:

• Passion for public service and our work toward more effective government
• People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect
• Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results
• Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Partnership’s fundraising efforts extend across the organization and focus on ensuring long‑term financial viability. The Development team identifies, cultivates, and secures financial and in‑kind support for the Partnership’s programs and activities.

The Fundraising intern will learn the basics of nonprofit fundraising and relationship management, including how to conduct prospect research, cultivate new donors, and work with our corporate sponsors and other existing supporters. Specific responsibilities may include identifying and researching prospective sponsorship, individual gift and foundation grant opportunities; drafting correspondence related to Partnership programs; providing support for internal and external meetings, including preparing, note‑taking and observing; assisting with mailings or email invitation sends; and tracking donor interactions using our customer management system (Salesforce). The ideal candidate will have strong written and verbal communication and attention to detail.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment in Washington, DC and occasionally at local external venues. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer, and scanner. The Partnership adheres to all federal, state, and local employment laws.

COMPENSATION

Full‑time interns will receive $2,000 per month. Part‑time intern compensation will be pro‑rated accordingly.

LOCATION

This is a DC-based hybrid position. Interns must reside and have a permanent address in the Washington Metropolitan Region for the duration of their internship. This is a hybrid internship, with an expectation of on‑site work approximately two days per week once office space is available. One on‑site day is Wednesday.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

Business hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, though exact work hours may vary depending on availability and need. Academic schedules will be accommodated; a part‑time schedule may be considered. There may be occasional early morning or evening activities required.

TRAVEL

If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day.