Development, Research, & Events Intern

Organization:Aksarben Foundation

Location:Hybrid (Remote & On-Site as Needed)

Duration:Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027

Hours:15-20 Hours/Week

Compensation:$20-$25 per hour

About Us:

The Aksarben Foundation is building a Nebraska where everyone chooses to live, work, and thrive. We convene the state's most strategic business and community leaders to drive economic growth, develop local talent, and celebrate the people who make Nebraska exceptional.

Position Summary:

The Development, Research & Events Intern supports fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorship development, prospect research, and event execution across the Foundation initiatives. This position offers hands-on experience in nonprofit development, relationship management, research, stewardship, and event planning while working alongside Foundation leadership and community partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Development & Research

• Conduct research on prospective donors, sponsors, foundations, and grant opportunities.
• Assist with donor prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship strategies.
• Support sponsor outreach and relationship management efforts.
• Maintain accurate donor and sponsor records within CRM systems.
• Prepare donor profiles, briefing materials, and meeting summaries.
• Assist with tracking fundraising activities and sponsorship commitments.

Stewardship & Engagement

• Support donor recognition and stewardship activities.
• Draft thank-you letters, donor communications, and follow-up materials.
• Assist with cultivation plans and engagement strategies.
• Help coordinate meetings with donors, sponsors, and community leaders.

Events & Partner Engagement

• Assist in planning and executing Foundation events and programs.
• Support sponsor fulfillment and donor hospitality activities.
• Coordinate donor, sponsor, and VIP engagement activities before, during, and after events.
• Assist with registration, event logistics, and attendee management.
• Support event budgeting, tracking, and post-event reporting.
• Work collaboratively with the Marketing, Communications & Events Intern on volunteer engagement and event execution.
• Attend occasional evening and weekend events.

Administrative Support

• Assist with project tracking and reporting.
• Support data collection and basic impact reporting.
• Participate in team meetings and special projects as assigned.

Preferred Areas of Study:

• Business Administration
• Nonprofit Management
• Public Administration
• Marketing
• Communications
• Economics
• Data Analytics
• Related fields

What You Will Gain:

• Experience in fundraising, donor relations, and sponsorship development.
• Exposure to nonprofit leadership and community engagement.
• Hands-on CRM and prospect research experience.
• Event planning and project management skills.
• Professional networking opportunities with Nebraska business and civic leaders.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong research, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Interest in nonprofit development, fundraising, donor relations, sponsor ships, or community engagement.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Professionalism and discretion when handling donor, sponsor, and organizational information.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Basic familiarity with AI tools (such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot) for research, writing support, and productivity.
• Willingness to learn CRM and donor management systems.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with staff, volunteers, and community partners