Summer 2025 Daniel C. Smith Philanthropy and Fundraising Internship Program

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 2025 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 9th to August 1st, 2025. You and a cohort of interns will work 40 hours per week for 12 weeks and will be competitively compensated for your time. As an intern, you’ll 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 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: You’ll 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 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! 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: You 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 opportunities and more.Development Scholars Program: Explore the exciting opportunity to extend your internship experience through our new program. Our Development Scholars Program offers a continuation of the internship program where selected interns are offered the opportunity to continue their work in fundraising across IU through a part time program that offers guaranteed career placement after graduation!Did you know?There is a longstanding history of success with this internship program! Our previous cohorts have an over 80% placement rate in development and fundraising positions all across the country in roles such as: Director of Private Philanthropy, Assistant Director of Development, Associate Director of Development, Deputy Finance Director, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, and more!