Summer 2023 Daniel C. Smith Philanthropy and Fundraising Internship Program

Company Description

Founded in 1936, the Indiana University Foundation maximizes private support for Indiana University by fostering lifelong relationships with key stakeholders, providing advancement leadership, and fundraising services for campuses and units across the university. Today, the IU Foundation oversees one of the largest public university endowments in the country, with a market value in excess of $3.5 billion. IU is consistently ranked among the top four of Big Ten universities in annual voluntary support.

Job Description

The internship program will be primarily in-person at either our Bloomington or Indianapolis locations. 

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 2023 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: 

The Daniel C. Smith Internship program runs from May 15th to August 4th, 2023. Approximately 14 interns work 40 hours per week for 12 weeks and are competitively compensated for their time.

Interns will be matched with a “host unit” based on skills and interests, allowing direct supervision and mentorship by a frontline fundraiser at the university. Interns are integrated into their teams 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: Join IU Foundation and IU development leadership for this multi-faceted learning series. You will learn the people, processes, and foundation in place that led to the recent success of Indiana University’s Bicentennial Campaign, which raised just over 3.9 billion dollars for IU. 
• Case Competition: Team up with members of your intern cohort for an intense competition to solve a real-life business problem in the fundraising community! You will be grouped with a team of interns, with a development executive as your mentor, as you put your heads together to innovate the world of fundraising through this lively competition! 
• Book Club: Diversity and inclusion in leadership have never been more important. Delve into a book club with your intern cohort to learn important leadership skills that will put you ahead of the competition come graduation. Plus, it’s a great way to connect! 
• Networking Opportunities: One of the IU Foundation’s core values is collaboration. Throughout the summer, you will have access to 260+ fundraising and fundraising support professionals who are here to help you in your internship journey. We will connect you to important donors and friends of IU and will encourage and push you to make meaningful connections throughout your 12 weeks as an intern. 
• Signature events experience: Interns will be able to attend signature events and learn about how donor societies operate. Scholars attend dean’s advisory meetings, frequently attend development staff meetings, and gain exposure to annual giving, annual fund, stewardship, etc. students should play an active role.
• Board of Directors Meetings: You will have the opportunity to attend Indiana University Foundation’s Board of Directors meetings, which take place in June each summer. See behind the scenes how the Foundation boards operate and meet some of IU Foundation’s most treasured donors and friends. 
• Capstone Presentation: After an impressive 12 weeks of contributions to your host unit, you will have the opportunity to present to a large audience of development leadership, a presentation of your summer projects and learnings. This is a great opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your potential future employer! 
• Scholar Program: This year we are introducing a Development Scholars Program which serves as a bridge from student to full-time IU Foundation fundraiser post-graduation! 

Did you know?

There is a longstanding history of success with this internship program! 

• Our previous (2017-2020) cohorts have an 81% placement rate in development a