Philanthropic Communications and Content Intern - IE

James Madison University • Harrisonburg, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

James Madison University's (JMU) Philanthropic Communications team is seeking a curious and relationship-driven Langridge Fellow for the 2026-27 academic year. This year-long role involves serving as a liaison to the partner organization, Valley Scholars. Key responsibilities include helping to build a framework for lasting community among their students and alumni, writing inspiring stories to encourage giving to the program, and maintaining their giving websites. In the spring, the intern will also support the Family Business Symposium, a signature donor event for Principal Giving. This position offers hands-on experience in building alumni engagement systems through social media and newsletters, maintaining accurate donor records in Salesforce, and supporting high-touch events, all under close mentorship and structured supervision.

Requirements

• Must be a current JMU student; any class year or major is welcome to apply.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; this role involves access to sensitive student, alumni and donor information.
• Working knowledge or interest in nonprofit communications, storytelling, marketing, fundraising or first-generation student and alumni engagement.
• Knowledge or experience with Microsoft Office is required.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred majors include Media, Arts and Design (SMAD), Communications, Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication (WRTC), Marketing (COB), and/or Hospitality Management, though this is not required.
• Knowledge of web-based CMS (we use Cascade), Salesforce CRM, and/or graphic design (canva and/or Adobe InDesign) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with the Valley Scholars program team to help build a sustainable framework for connecting current students and alumni, including a LinkedIn community and opportunities for dialogue between the two groups.
• Support processes for capturing and maintaining Valley Scholars alumni contact information while students are still enrolled, working with the registrar to maintain accurate and current alum records in Salesforce.
• Write and edit content for a new Valley Scholars newsletter, in partnership with the Philanthropic Communications team.
• Support the reimagining and consolidation of Valley Scholars web content, and build and update pages using JMU's web-based CMS (Cascade).
• Collect, write and edit symposium content for event materials, speaker and attendee bios, and registration emails.
• Assist with event-day logistics for the Family Business Symposium.
• Participate with the team on content and logistics for events like Stewardship Luncheon, Giving Day, and Women for Madison Summit.
• Assist the Associate Director of Content in maintaining the JMU Giving website, helping with publishing or updating articles written by freelancers.

Benefits

• Tuition Waiver Program for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
• Free Access to the University Recreation Center (UREC), including facility access and program registration privileges.
• Variety of voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft and Legal Protection Plans, and several other supplemental benefits.
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Talent Development Trainings.

What This Job Offers

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