Intern: Donor Research & Workflow

About Ownership Works

Ownership Works, launched in 2022, is a rapidly growing nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic well-being for workers through shared ownership programs. Their mission is to empower employees by turning them into shareholders, fostering vibrant workplaces that contribute to company success. By 2030, O.W. aims to generate $20 billion in worker wealth, making employee ownership a widespread workforce standard. The organization focuses on movement building—partnering with over 100 entities including financial institutions and labor advocates to promote shared ownership—and advisory services, helping companies cultivate inclusive ownership cultures.

As a certified Great Place To Work, O.W. exemplifies impactful employee engagement and corporate transformation. For more details, visit their website.

The Advancement Intern at Ownership Works plays a pivotal role in supporting the foundational activities of the Advancement team. This position involves crucial aspects of fundraising, such as researching current and potential donors, engaging stakeholders, and enhancing team operations. The intern will gain firsthand insight into nonprofit fundraising strategies, donor relationship management, and internal operations that bolster the organization’s advancement goals.

This role is designed for individuals with a keen interest in economic justice and philanthropy who are eager to learn within a dynamic nonprofit environment. The intern will actively contribute to creating fundraising materials, automating workflows, and optimizing operational processes.

• Conduct web research on potential funders and suggest improvements in sourcing and engagement.
• Prepare concise research briefs summarizing donor background and potential connection points.
• Take notes during team meetings, synthesizing key decisions and action items.
• Support organization of team activities and priorities for easy information access and sharing.
• Contribute to briefings for external meetings.
• Enhance knowledge management systems for better information use across donor types.
• Prototype and test workflow solutions, creating documentation for team-wide implementation.
• Present findings and recommendations to team leads.
• Provide administrative and project support to the team.

• Strong research skills with the ability to present information clearly.
• Background in fundraising, organizing, consulting, or related fields preferred.
• Comfort working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial settings like startups or nonprofits.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to implement practical solutions.
• Excellent writing and communication abilities, including clear presentation of recommendations.
• Self‑starter with strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Passion for social and economic justice aligned with Ownership Works’ mission.

• Hands‑on experience supporting fundraising and donor engagement within a nonprofit.
• Exposure to strategic philanthropy across various donor types.
• Experience with donor research and translating data into actionable insights.
• Opportunities to learn about knowledge management tools like Salesforce in fundraising operations.
• Chance to prototype solutions with tangible impacts on the organization.
• Mentorship and collaboration opportunities within a cross‑functional team.