Internship Toolkit

I.  Introduction & Purpose

Internships serve an important purpose in the fundraising space. Many of us who work in the field can point to early internship experiences as crucial to our own career trajectories. For an individual, the benefits of an internship are wide-ranging. They provide needed guidance, offering meaningful experiences to build skills for a fruitful and fulfilling professional life. Internships are also a significant boon for organizations. Interns augment the capacity of year-round staff, bring new energy to operations, and help to grow the workforce pipeline, developing new talent to secure the field’s future. In recognition of this impact, VAFRE is pleased to offer this toolkit to its membership, helping to encourage paid internship opportunities throughout the Commonwealth for the benefit of organizations and aspiring fundraisers.

This internship guide provides organizations with a number of resources to establish and refine internship opportunities. Included below is an overview of what this guide offers:

• Sample job descriptions and hiring processes that prioritize significant contributions to an organization’s work.
• Suggested roles and responsibilities for site supervisors.
• Examples of proposals to leverage external funding opportunities.
• Vetted sources for job postings that can be utilized to recruit interns.

VAFRE looks forward to working with its membership to understand evolving needs and expectations for this initiative.

Disclaimer

This toolkit is designed to help organizations develop meaningful internship programs aligned with VAFRE’s standards, but it is not without limitations. VAFRE cannot guarantee the quality or performance of interns, nor the success of the experiences provided. The outcome of internships relies on the collaboration between the organization, site supervisor, and intern. Organizations are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable labor laws and regulations; this guide is not a substitute for legal or HR advice.

While suggestions for funding opportunities are included, the toolkit does not guarantee financial support for internships. Additionally, the guidance provided is general in nature and may need to be adapted to suit specific organizational needs. As nonprofit and internship practices evolve, organizations should stay informed to ensure their programs remain effective. By using this toolkit, organizations acknowledge these limitations and accept responsibility for customizing and implementing its resources to meet their unique needs.