Office of Advancement Internships

The Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Advancement invites applications for a project-based internship hosted by the Constituent Engagement department, with a specific focus in communications, marketing, and program planning to support the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. This internship will be hybrid, with the opportunity to schedule regular onsite days in the Office of Advancement in Washington, DC.

The Constituent Engagement team collaborates with colleagues across the Smithsonian and supports institutional and volunteer leadership on advancement messaging and communications, programming and stewardship, online engagement and fundraising, and membership programs. Everything the team does is focused on building and engaging audiences, inspiring private support for the Smithsonian, thanking donors and conveying the impact of their gifts.

A part of the Constituent Engagement team, Advancement Communications and Marketing is a full service, in-house creative team offering a broad range of support to fundraisers in all Smithsonian museums, research centers and offices. This creative team of writers, graphic designers and a production manager produces a variety of printed and digital communications including custom proposals, case statements, newsletters, the Smithsonian Annual Report and more.

Learning Objectives:
The Campaign Engagement and Communications Intern will learn the ins and outs of how fundraising is supported by advancement communications and programming. The intern will learn how to collaborate across the institution and manage projects in a fast-paced environment. The intern will support integrated, strategic communications and program planning that will advance the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future and the institution’s programming for the nation’s 250th anniversary, including strategic planning, communications, and ensuring alignment among communications and event planning staff. Additionally, the intern will learn about fundraising campaign planning and execution, comprehensive communications, and event planning and execution through hands-on participation in ongoing department projects, including meetings and presentations, video production, producing the Smithsonian’s annual report, publishing IMPACT magazine, image research, executive correspondence and fundraising communications.

The intern will also be paired with a mentor who will provide supportive opportunities for growth and connect the intern with professional development and networking opportunities.

This internship includes a capstone presentation in which the intern will demonstrate public speaking skills to an internal audience of advancement colleagues.

Requirements:
Interns must have reliable internet access for this hybrid internship opportunity. The Office of Advancement will provide the intern with a laptop to use for the duration of the internship.

Terms and Stipend:
This internship will take place from June 9 – August 1, 2024. Hours are 25 per week for 8 weeks. Please note that meetings may be held during working hours, 9am to 5pm (EST).

The intern will receive a stipend of $4,000 and may receive program or course credit for this experience if approved by their educational institution.

How to Apply:
Interested applicants must submit their resume and statement of purpose detailing their interest in this opportunity through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment system (SOLAA) to be considered. Applications must be submitted by Monday, March 17 at 5:00 pm (EST).

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum invites applications for a project-based internship hosted by the Advancement department, with a specific focus on operations including donor relations, stewardship, and membership. This internship will be hybrid, with the opportunity to schedule regular onsite days at the museum offices in Washington, DC.

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum is creating a world-class museum from the ground up. Led by the museum’s advancement team, the museum is working on raising funds to build a museum for women's history on the National Mall. We are building a broad coalition of donors to meet this ambitious goal. Our burgeoning network includes individuals, corporations, and foundations who recognize the profound impact of women on our nation’s history and future. Operations touches all aspects of fundraising and can build a solid foundation for any advancement work in the future.

Learning Objectives:
The Operations Intern will learn the ins and outs of how fundraising is supported by an operations team through hands-on participation in the team’s work and activities. The intern will learn about how data supports the department’s work by using a fundraising database, conduct research and analysis on potential donors – both individual and institutional, create briefings for meetings and events, and support the membership program in its growth and fulfillment of membership benefits. Additionally, the intern will gain experience in donor cultivation and stewardship through involvement in donor acknowledgements, the museum’s annual report, and by conducting benchmarking research and learning about potential stewardship activities that the museum could adapt in the future.

The intern will also be paired with a mentor who will provide supportive opportunities for growth and connect the intern with professional development and networking opportunities.

This internship includes a capstone presentation in which the intern will demonstrate public speaking skills to an internal audience of advancement colleagues.

Requirements:
Interns must have reliable internet access for this hybrid internship opportunity. The museum will provide the intern with a laptop to use for the duration of the internship.

Terms and Stipend:
This internship will take place from June 9 – August 1, 2025. Hours are 40 per week for 8 weeks. Please note that meetings may be held during working hours, 9am to 5pm (EST).

The intern will receive a stipend of $6,400 and may receive program or course credit for this experience if approved by their educational institution.

How to Apply:
Interested applicants must submit their resume and statement of purpose detailing their interest in this opportunity through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment system (SOLAA) to be considered. Applications must be submitted by Monday, March 17 at 5:00pm (EST).