Development Intern

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Education Trust (EdTrust) seeks a Development Intern to join the organization’s national fundraising team for Summer 2026. The Intern will assist the Development team in the execution of effective fundraising strategies to advance EdTrust’s mission at the national and state levels. The opportunity will help the Intern gain practical experience within the Development department including prospect research, grant writing and reporting, CRM maintenance, and project management.

EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.  

This role will have a duration of June 1 through August 7, 2026, and is based in our Washington, DC office, with eligibility for telework for up to 3 days per week per our current policy. Interns must reside in DC, Maryland or Virginia during the internship and report to the EdTrust office within three (3) days of hire for employment verification.  The Development Intern will report to the Development Associate. This role is budgeted for 20 hours per week for approximately 10 weeks. Exact hours are negotiable.

ABOUT THE INTERN ROLE

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct research of current and prospective donors

• Support the Development Assistant with the management of Salesforce data base and scheduling funder and internal meetings
• Assist in the production of funder briefs and backgrounders for EdTrust staff
• Support the execution of grant application and reporting processes, including proposal and report writing, quality assurance, and timely submission
• Keep abreast of EdTrust’s policy positions and research, as well as best practices in fundraising and donor database management

IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Shared belief in EdTrust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity, with a focus on racial equity
• Willingness to receive and act upon constructive feedback
• Ability to organize, prioritize tasks, work collaboratively, and meet deadlines 
• Strong communication skills, with a focus on writing
• Attention to detail and ability to multitask 
• Ability to take initiative and be self-directed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• At least a high school diploma or GED, and enrolled in or completed a higher education degree program 
• Experience using MS Office software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook
• General knowledge of education policy and nonprofit fundraising

• Previous research and writing experience preferred, including, but not limited to, previous internships at other policy-focused organizations and initiatives

COMPENSATION

The pay for this role ranges from $19/hr for undergraduate students and recent grads to $21-24/hr for graduate students. To maintain equity within our intern pay scale, we do not negotiate on intern pay rates; pay rates for internships are primarily determined based on level of education. Sick leave is accrued in this role.

TO APPLY:

EdTrust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.  

Qualified candidates please apply via ADP, including submitting an updated resume and 1-2 paragraphs on why you want to work as an Intern at EdTrust and how you anticipate the internship will benefit your career.