Development Intern

Hesed House • Aurora, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an unpaid internship opportunity at Hesed House, a leading homeless shelter in Illinois. The intern will gain hands-on experience in fundraising and non-profit work by supporting the Development Team. The role involves maintaining the donor database, engaging in donor outreach, assisting with fundraising events, participating in marketing efforts, and representing Hesed House at various events. The ideal candidate is passionate about serving vulnerable populations, eager to learn, and possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Requirements

• Genuine heart for serving people.
• Deep desire to serve — energized by connecting donors with a cause that truly changes lives.
• Strong and growing interpersonal skills; ability to build trust naturally and engage with diverse individuals and communities.
• Comfort and enthusiasm working within a faith-based organization while engaging effectively with secular partners and donors.
• Collaborative spirit combined with self-motivation and the ability to work independently with excellence.
• Commitment to learning!
• Proficiency with design and communications tools including Canva, MS Office, and AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude.
• Comfort learning new technologies like CRM Databases, Constant Contact email marketing tools, online event and donation software.
• Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset — always asking how we can do this better.
• Must pass DCFS and criminal background checks.
• Must be able to comfortably and consistently navigate stairs.
• Must be able to move donations and materials as needed.

Responsibilities

• Help maintain and update the donor database, ensuring accurate record-keeping of donations and communications.
• Perform donor outreach via phone, email, and written communication.
• Support the planning and execution of fundraising events, including logistics, outreach, and follow-up activities.
• Collaborate with team members on special projects and initiatives related to development and community engagement.
• Participate in marketing efforts including social media planning, post creation, engagement tracking and execution.
• Serve as a representative of Hesed House as a member of the Development Department at Volunteer/Community events, Speaking Engagements, Fundraising events, and Third-party events.
• Play an active role in major fundraising events including our signature Derby event.
• Bring a collaborative, solutions-focused spirit to every project and every team interaction.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed