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Development Intern

Department: Development
Reports to: Chief Development Officer
Status: Temporary/hybrid, 20 hours/week, unpaid
Period: May through September 15, 2025

RMHC Philly is seeking a Development Intern ready to embark on a transformative journey, where passion meets purpose, by joining our team and creating a meaningful impact on behalf of the families we serve!

Job Summary:

The Development Internship at RMHC Philly is a unique and immersive experience working directly under the mentorship of the Chief Development Officer. The position is designed for individuals eager to learn the intricacies of running a robust development team for one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations in the greater Philadelphia region.

The Development Intern will gain a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted operations within the development landscape that fuel our effort to advance our mission, impact, and longevity. From Major Gifts and Institutional Giving to Annual Giving, Events, and Database Administration, you’ll contribute to and support every facet of our mission. This role encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities, including but not limited to event logistics and planning, day-of event coordination, active promotion at third-party fundraisers or donor events, facilitating tours of the Chestnut Street House, and direct support for all members of the development team.

This is not just an internship — it’s an invitation to be an integral part of our efforts to provide critical support to families in need.

This position includes some travel within the Philadelphia region, requiring a car.

Essential Duties:

  • Be physically present at our Chestnut Street House one day a week, fostering a direct connection with the heart of our mission and the families we serve.
  • Active participation in Events – Attend and actively engage in events both onsite and within the community at large whenever scheduling allows, ensuring a firsthand understanding of our community dynamics and donor interactions.
  • Collaborate with the Special Events and Family Activities teams to orchestrate seamless fundraising events and family entertainment opportunities. This involves meticulous coordination, from pre-event participant and vendor confirmations to day-of event/activity management and post-event/activity follow-up.
  • Industry Research for Continuous Improvement – Conduct research on evolving non-profit trends. Use insights to enhance our current development policies and procedures, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of effective fundraising strategies.
  • Relationship Management – Engage with various stakeholders of partner organizations such as donors, volunteers, community groups, board members, and staff across all departments. Cultivate relationships that strengthen our network and foster a sense of community around our fundraising efforts.
  • Marketing and Communications – Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to support the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the overall mission and goals of RMHC Philly and RMHC Global.
  • Social Media Support – Actively contribute to our social media presence by creating engaging content related to fundraising events. When possible, provide content for the marketing team to promote events, share live updates, and interact with our online community. Leverage social platforms to enhance our reach and foster a sense of community engagement for our donor base.
  • Database Administration – Help maintain our donor database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records. Utilize the database for recording donor communication and extracting information to enhance the efficiency of fundraising efforts.
  • In-Kind Donation Coordination – Assist in the procurement and management of in-kind donations and auction items, playing a key role in maximizing the support we receive from generous contributors.
  • Stewardship Communication – Engage in stewardship communication to express gratitude to donors, fostering meaningful relationships. Conduct follow-up calls after events to thank attendees and gather feedback, contributing to the cultivation of a supportive donor community.
  • Recycle for the House Tab Program Coordination – Serve as the primary point of contact for the Recycle for the House Tab Program. Manage all aspects of the program, including coordinating pick-ups and drop-offs with community groups, maintaining relationships with participating organizations, overseeing tab collection and storage logistics, and working with the Development and Marketing teams to promote and expand the program’s reach. Ensure timely communication, proper stewardship of participants, and accurate tracking of donations.
  • Adhere to fundraising procedures and policies to ensure the proper acceptance, recognition, and stewardship of all gift types.
  • Uphold donor rights and maintain ethical fundraising practices in alignment with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethics.

Qualifications:

  • Rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior, currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program in Business, Hospitality, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Event Planning, Communications or related degree

Competencies:

  • Relationship Building and Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with donors, corporate partners, board members, volunteers, and community members across diverse backgrounds
  • Communication Excellence: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences and convey information clearly and persuasively
  • Planning, Organization, and Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines
  • Collaboration and Adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, working effectively with cross-functional teams while remaining flexible and solutions-oriented
  • Volunteer Engagement & Management: Experience working with volunteers to support events and development initiatives
  • Technical & Fundraising Software Proficiency: Strongly preferred experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT (or a comparable CRM platform), DonorDrive (or a similar peer-to-peer fundraising tool), and GiveSmart (or an equivalent auction and event management system) to support event logistics, donor engagement, and fundraising efforts
  • Customer Service and Stewardship: Ability to anticipate and exceed stakeholder expectations, ensuring a welcoming and professional experience for donors, sponsors, and guests
  • Empathy and Professional Boundaries: Demonstrate compassion while maintaining professionalism in all interactions
  • Team-Oriented Mindset: Willingness to collaborate, contribute beyond assigned responsibilities, and support the broader RMHC Philly team as needed
  • Independence and Initiative: Self-motivated and capable of working both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
  • Continuous Improvement and Growth Mindset: Commitment to ongoing learning, professional development, and process improvement to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
  • Passion and Enthusiasm: High energy and deep passion for RMHC Philly’s mission, bringing dedication and enthusiasm to every aspect of the role

Additional Requirements:

  • Availability to work some evenings and weekends as needed
  • Must be willing and able to travel between RMHC Philadelphia locations and other sites using a personal vehicle or alternative transportation
  • The following physical demands are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions
  • Primarily a moderate sedentary office role, with frequent sitting and computer use
  • Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands for tasks, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, talk, and hear while performing job duties
  • Must be physically capable of lifting and carrying up to 35 pounds

Interested student applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to HRDevelopment@rmhcphilly.org