Summer 2026 Daniel C. Smith Philanthropy and Fundraising Internship Program

Company Description

Are you a high-performer who wants to contribute to a mission-driven and values-based organization? If you are motivated by doing impactful work and making a difference in people’s lives, then the Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is the place for you. At the IUF, we believe in making the dream of higher education attainable, providing support for life-changing research, and preparing the next generation of leaders.  

As a trailblazer among our peers, we provide fundraising leadership and endowment stewardship to support needs and initiatives across all of Indiana University’s campuses. As part of our team, you will help make IU donors' dreams last forever.  

At the IUF we work hard, celebrate achievements, and foster an environment where everyone’s contributions matter. We are nimble and innovative, and we want you to bring your ideas and energy to join forces with some of the best talent in our industry. 

In addition to being part of a meaningful mission as an IUF employee, you’ll find that there are many ways to connect and collaborate.  Our FUNdation (see what we did there?) Committee helps us connect and unwind with food truck lunches, holiday gatherings, costume contests, free snacks, IU spirit-wear Fridays, and spontaneous gestures that surprise and delight. Our Wellness Committee ensures that the health and well-being of our employees is top of mind through outstanding benefits, mental health offerings, and activities. We encourage community leadership and service and make space for our staff to pursue their passions. Our total rewards philosophy ensures that we support employees financially, emotionally, and in their career growth.  

If the IUF sounds like a fit for you, we invite you to join us today. 

 About the naming of the Daniel C. Smith Internship Program:

Under the leadership and direction of Dan Smith, the IU Foundation's former President and CEO, the IU Foundation was able to continue to support students financially and professionally despite the uncertainty of a global pandemic. Dan’s vision of this program is and has been to recruit and attract diverse fundraising talent. In honor and recognition of the ever-growing success of these interns and this program, and with Dan’s retirement at the end of 2020, we officially renamed the summer internship program the Daniel C. Smith Internship Program, a well-deserved honor for Dan’s leadership and continued advocacy for student success and the fundraising profession. Dan’s legacy will live on through the success of the interns in this program.

Job Description

The Indiana University Foundation is seeking mission-driven, collaborative, and passionate students who are interested in a future career in development, fundraising, and non-profits. We are excited to present you with the opportunity to join the Daniel C. Smith Class of 2026 intern cohort!

As an intern with the IU Foundation, you’ll have an interactive opportunity in philanthropy at Indiana University. Our experts will guide you through a hands-on experience within the fundraising process, from how a donor’s gift can transform into life-changing research, scholarships, and other higher education advancements. You’ll be able to see how philanthropic efforts can come to fruition throughout your internship experience with fun, engaging activities both within the community and your cohort.

About the Program:

This paid, full-time, 12-week internship offers hands-on fundraising experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to one of the nation’s most successful university advancement operations. The Daniel C. Smith Internship program runs from May 11th to July 31st, 2026. As an intern, you will be matched with a “host unit” based on skills and interests, allowing direct supervision and mentorship by a frontline fundraiser at the university. As an intern, you are integrated into your individual host unit teams, working on contributing to live projects such as supporting donor engagement, stewardship, and fundraising strategy, and can network with the IU Foundation’s professional staff and the rest of the intern cohort.

Program Highlights:

• Learning Series on the Fundraising Process: As a cohort, you’ll engage in a structured learning series led by IU Foundation and development leadership. You will learn the IU Way of Fundraising—the people, processes, infrastructure, and strategy that guide the shared approach to fundraising at Indiana University.

• Networking Opportunities:  Build relationships with development leaders, frontline fundraisers and advancement professionals at IU through the learning experience, unit projects and individual connections. You have the ability to explore the wide array of professional roles in development to see how work gets done at IU and where your