NAfME Fundraising and Development Internship 2026: Remote Opportunity Paying Up to $18.50 Per Hour
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is hiring a remote Fundraising and Development Intern. Learn about the responsibilities, qualifications, salary, benefits, and application process for this flexible internship opportunity.
NAfME Fundraising and Development Internship 2026: Build a Career in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy
Students interested in nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, marketing, and philanthropy now have an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience with one of the most influential organizations in American education.
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is currently recruiting a Fundraising and Development Intern for a flexible remote position that offers meaningful professional experience, direct mentorship, and exposure to the world of nonprofit fundraising and donor engagement.
With compensation ranging from $16 to $18.50 per hour, the internship is designed for undergraduate and graduate students who are eager to develop practical skills while supporting initiatives that expand access to music education across the United States.
For aspiring nonprofit professionals, this internship provides a unique opportunity to work on real projects that directly contribute to advancing educational opportunities for students and supporting music educators nationwide.
About NAfME
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is widely recognized as the leading organization dedicated to advancing music education in the United States.
The organization works to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality music education while supporting educators through advocacy, professional development, resources, and community-building initiatives.
NAfME’s Development Team plays a critical role in securing the philanthropic resources necessary to sustain and expand these efforts. Through partnerships with donors, foundations, corporations, and sponsors, the organization raises funding that supports educational programs and opportunities for both teachers and students.
The Fundraising and Development Intern will become part of this mission-driven team and contribute to projects that help strengthen music education across the country.
Internship Overview
The internship is fully remote, allowing students from various locations to participate without relocating.
Interns are expected to commit between 10 and 20 hours per week, with flexibility built into the schedule. Candidates may participate for a single semester, although a full academic year commitment from September through May is preferred.
The position reports directly to the Assistant Executive Director of Development, providing participants with valuable mentorship and insight into nonprofit leadership and fundraising strategy.
A Comprehensive Introduction to Nonprofit Fundraising
Unlike internships that focus on a single area of work, the NAfME Fundraising and Development Internship provides broad exposure to nearly every aspect of nonprofit fundraising and development.
Interns will gain practical experience in:
- Prospect research
- Donor development
- Corporate partnerships
- Grant research
- Marketing communications
- Campaign support
- Donor stewardship
- CRM management
- Fundraising strategy
This well-rounded experience allows participants to understand how successful nonprofit organizations secure and manage philanthropic support.
Prospect Research and Donor Development Experience
One of the intern’s primary responsibilities involves identifying and researching potential supporters.
Interns will help:
- Research individual donors, corporations, and foundations
- Create donor and prospect profiles
- Analyze philanthropic interests
- Assess giving capacity
- Maintain prospect databases
- Identify strategic funding opportunities
This work provides valuable experience in donor intelligence gathering, a highly sought-after skill within nonprofit organizations and fundraising departments.
Corporate Partnerships and Membership Outreach
Corporate engagement is another major component of the internship.
Interns will support efforts aimed at building and strengthening relationships with corporate partners.
Responsibilities include:
- Supporting membership renewal initiatives
- Researching prospective corporate supporters
- Preparing sponsorship proposals
- Creating partnership materials
- Tracking outreach efforts and responses
Through these activities, participants gain insight into how nonprofits develop mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses and sponsors.
Supporting Fundraising Campaigns and Development Projects
The intern will also contribute to a variety of fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
Projects may involve:
- Annual giving campaigns
- Donor stewardship efforts
- Grant opportunity tracking
- Donor cultivation events
- Virtual engagement activities
- Campaign planning
- Donor recognition materials
These responsibilities allow participants to experience the complete donor lifecycle, from prospect identification through stewardship and relationship management.
Marketing and Graphic Design Opportunities
Students with an interest in communications, content creation, or design will also find valuable opportunities within the internship.
The Development Team relies heavily on compelling storytelling and visual communication to inspire donors and supporters.
Interns may assist with:
- Fundraising one-pagers
- Social media graphics
- Donor impact reports
- Presentations
- Infographics
- Digital marketing materials
- Webpage updates
Design work may be completed using tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
These projects can help interns build professional portfolios that demonstrate both creative and strategic communication skills.
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Administrative and CRM Experience
Strong nonprofit operations depend on accurate data management and reporting.
Interns will gain practical exposure to:
- CRM systems
- Donor databases
- Data entry
- Reporting processes
- Meeting preparation
- Document organization
This experience is particularly valuable because CRM proficiency is frequently listed as a preferred qualification in nonprofit and fundraising job postings.
Who Should Apply?
NAfME is seeking motivated undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of academic backgrounds.
Preferred fields of study include:
- Nonprofit Management
- Communications
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Business
- Music
- Arts Administration
- Related disciplines
Ideal candidates should possess:
- Strong communication skills
- Excellent organizational abilities
- Attention to detail
- Research skills
- Time management capabilities
- An interest in philanthropy and nonprofit work
- The ability to work independently in a remote environment
Experience with Microsoft Office, Canva, social media content creation, and online research is considered beneficial.
Skills and Experience Participants Will Gain
By the end of the internship, participants will have gained practical experience in:
- Nonprofit fundraising strategy
- Corporate partnership development
- Grant research
- Donor stewardship
- Prospect research
- Marketing communications
- Graphic design
- CRM management
- Professional nonprofit operations
These skills can support future careers in fundraising, development, communications, nonprofit leadership, arts administration, public relations, and corporate social responsibility.
Why This Internship Stands Out
One of the strongest advantages of this opportunity is the direct mentorship provided by fundraising leadership.
Participants gain exposure to experienced professionals who actively work in nonprofit development and philanthropy.
Additional benefits include:
- Flexible remote work
- Competitive hourly compensation
- Professional networking opportunities
- Meaningful project work
- Portfolio-building experiences
- Academic credit opportunities (where applicable)
- Exposure to national nonprofit operations
For students exploring careers in mission-driven organizations, the internship offers a strong foundation for future professional growth.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit:
- A current CV or résumé
- A cover letter
Applications should be sent via email to:
Applicants must include:
“Development Intern” plus their first initial and last name in the subject line of the email.
For example:
Development Intern – J Smith
Candidates are encouraged to submit polished application materials that demonstrate their interest in nonprofit development, communications, fundraising, or philanthropy.
Final Thoughts
The NAfME Fundraising and Development Internship offers far more than a typical student internship. It provides an opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization while developing highly transferable skills in fundraising, communications, donor relations, marketing, and nonprofit management.
With flexible remote work, competitive hourly pay, direct mentorship, and hands-on experience across multiple areas of nonprofit operations, this internship can serve as an excellent stepping stone for students considering careers in philanthropy, development, arts administration, public relations, or business development.
For students passionate about education, the arts, and creating meaningful social impact, the opportunity to work with NAfME represents a valuable chance to gain real-world experience while helping advance music education nationwide.
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