Fundraising and Nonprofit Management Intern

FUNDRAISING AND NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is a dynamic, member-driven and impactful organization committed to promoting and sustaining the growth and development of the local restaurant industry while providing our members legislative and regulatory representation, marketing and small business support, programming, and events.

RAMW offers year-round internship opportunities and is currently seeking a motivated and creative Fundraising and Nonprofit Management Intern to join our team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting fundraising initiatives, advancing membership growth, designing strategic materials, and coordinating events that strengthen organizational sustainability and member engagement. This internship provides a unique opportunity for individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and association leadership, including:

• Training in fundraising strategy development, donor cultivation, and nonprofit revenue generation.
• Hands-on experience in membership development, retention strategies, and member engagement.
• Practical experience creating fundraising and membership materials, including sponsorship packages, appeals, and member communications.
• Opportunities to support events from planning through execution and build a professional network in nonprofit management.

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Managing Director and Vice President of Operations and Administration, major responsibilities of the Fundraising and Nonprofit Management Intern include:

• Fundraising Strategy and Support: Assisting in the development and supporting the implementation of fundraising strategies, including identifying prospective donors and sponsors, researching funding opportunities, and supporting cultivation and stewardship activities.
• Board and Committee Support: Supporting board and committee operations, including preparing meeting materials, coordinating logistics, assisting with meeting documentation (including minutes) and tracking action items, and supporting committee communications and follow-up.
• Membership Support: Supporting membership recruitment and retention initiatives, including assisting with outreach to prospective members, supporting onboarding of new members, and contributing to strategies that strengthen member value and engagement.
• Development Materials: Assisting with designing and drafting fundraising materials, including sponsorship packages, donation appeals, grant proposals, impact reports, and donor communications.
• Event Support: Assisting with the planning and execution of fundraising events, member engagement activities, donor receptions, and networking events from concept through post-event follow-up.
• Donor and Sponsor Support: Assisting in relationship management with current and prospective donors, sponsors, and partners through personalized communications, acknowledgments, and stewardship activities.
• Database Support: Assisting with maintaining accurate and up-to-date donor and member records in organizational databases, supporting tracking of contributions and engagement, and helping ensure data integrity and confidentiality.
• Campaign Support: Contributing to specific fundraising campaigns, membership drives, and organizational initiatives, including annual giving, sponsorship programs, and special projects.
• Communication Support: Assisting with drafting and editing communications materials, including newsletters, impact reports, member updates, donor acknowledgments, and other materials that demonstrate organizational value.
• Collaboration: Working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to support fundraising and membership activities that align with organizational priorities and advance the association's mission.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate student with coursework or demonstrated interest in nonprofit management, fundraising, philanthropy, public administration, association management, or related fields.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences including donors, members, and stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort building relationships with donors, sponsors, members, and community partners.
• Creative thinking and ability to develop innovative fundraising strategies, membership initiatives, and engagement materials.
• Careful attention to detail and strong proofreading skills.
• Ability to problem solve and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Self-motivated with strong time management and organizational skills and willingness to ask questions as necessary.
• Strong service orientation and passion for mission-driven work.
• Computer competencies, including experience with G Suite tools (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides) and comfort learning donor management and membership database systems.
• Interest in or knowledge of the local food, beverage, and hospitality industry is a plus.

Apply Today

Internships are 18 to 24 hours per week in person at the RAMW office and paid $20 an hour. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and three samples of work to internships@ramw.org. Work samples should include at least one academic sample (coursework, papers, projects completed for classes) and at least one applied sample (work completed for internships, student organizations, volunteer roles, independent projects, or other non-classroom settings).

RAMW is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or beliefs.

About RAMW 

For more than 100 years, RAMW has advocated and provided a community for more than 1,400 entrepreneurs and small businesses in the greater Washington area. We count among our members beloved neighborhood spots, family-owned businesses, homegrown restaurant groups, and national and regional favorites. Together we are one of the largest job creators in the District and leading contributors to revenues.