Development and Special Events Intern
Illinois Humanities
Status: Part-time, Non-exempt
Reports to: Development Manager
Location: Chicago
Illinois Humanities, the Illinois partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration.
Reports to: Development Manager
Location: Chicago
Illinois Humanities, the Illinois partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration.
For more information, visit www.ILhumanities.org
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Development & Special Events intern will work closely with the Development and Communications Department to assist in the execution of our 50th Anniversary Gala fundraiser, cultivation events, and day-to-day department activities. Interns will gain hands-on experience in fundraising, development, communications, and special events while gaining an understanding of how a non-profit organization runs.
The internship, which will pay $20/hour, will run from approximately July 2025 through September 2025, and requires 15 -18 hours per week. Hours will be flexible based on the intern’s availability. This position will be hybrid with one to two days in person at our Chicago office.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support the 50th Anniversary Gala on September 19, 2025, in Chicago. Activities may include managing event logistics, guest services, and production
- Gain insight into donor relations and management by assisting with assembly and mailings related to special events and any campaigns and supporting data input and clean-up in Raiser’s Edge
- Draft and proofread professional correspondence
- Research donors, foundations, best practices, or other topics as needed
- Provide other administrative support to the Development and Communications team
- Other duties as assigned
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Interest in the humanities, arts, culture, and/or non-profit fields
- Strong communication skills
- Research, writing, editing and proof-reading skills
- Self-motivated and organized
- Computer savvy and proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience with a donor database a plus, but not required
- Able to work at Illinois Humanities’ 50th Anniversary Gala on September 19, 2025, in Chicago
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
The skills and experience needed to be successful in this job exist on a spectrum. Highly qualified and desirable candidates may not meet 100% of the skills and experience included in this description. We encourage all who are interested in this position to apply.
WHAT WE ARE OFFERING:
- $20/hourly internship pay | 15 – 18 hours per week | July 2025 through September 2025
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Step one: All submissions will be reviewed, and the initial candidate pool will be formed after phone screenings. Not all submissions will make it into the candidate pool.
Step two: Candidates in the pool will take part in an interview with members of the Illinois Humanities Team via Zoom or in-person.
Step three: There may be additional rounds of interviews with the final candidates. Final candidates may be asked to provide additional information. Selection and placement of the final candidate will occur after these final rounds of interviews. Placement for this internship is anticipated to occur in October of 2023. Once the final candidate has accepted their offer of employment, all other applicants will be notified of their status.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Our Chicago Loop office is accessible. Work at off-site locations is required and those may not necessarily be fully accessible. Evening and weekend work is sometimes required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employees are regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer. Illinois Humanities is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. It does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Illinois Humanities is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.
Illinois Humanities Chicago office is currently operating in a hybrid work environment with in-office days and optional remote workdays each week.
COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY:
To support public health efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19, Illinois Humanities has adopted a policy that requires all staff and interns receive a complete COVID-19 vaccine based on the CDC’s current definition, which is subject to change. Employees must submit a full Record of COVID-19 Vaccination or have a fully signed Reasonable Exception approval by date of hire.
Illinois Humanities is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. It does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, criminal record, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Illinois Humanities is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.
To Apply: Please upload a resume and brief personal statement of no more than 250 words that communicates why you are interested in the internship and what unique skills and/or experience you will bring to the role.
Step one: All submissions will be reviewed, and the initial candidate pool will be formed after phone screenings. Not all submissions will make it into the candidate pool.
Step two: Candidates in the pool will take part in an interview with members of the Illinois Humanities Team via Zoom or in-person.
Step three: There may be additional rounds of interviews with the final candidates. Final candidates may be asked to provide additional information. Selection and placement of the final candidate will occur after these final rounds of interviews. Placement for this internship is anticipated to occur in October of 2023. Once the final candidate has accepted their offer of employment, all other applicants will be notified of their status.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Our Chicago Loop office is accessible. Work at off-site locations is required and those may not necessarily be fully accessible. Evening and weekend work is sometimes required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employees are regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer. Illinois Humanities is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. It does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Illinois Humanities is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.
Illinois Humanities Chicago office is currently operating in a hybrid work environment with in-office days and optional remote workdays each week.
COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY:
To support public health efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19, Illinois Humanities has adopted a policy that requires all staff and interns receive a complete COVID-19 vaccine based on the CDC’s current definition, which is subject to change. Employees must submit a full Record of COVID-19 Vaccination or have a fully signed Reasonable Exception approval by date of hire.
Illinois Humanities is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. It does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, criminal record, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Illinois Humanities is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.
To Apply: Please upload a resume and brief personal statement of no more than 250 words that communicates why you are interested in the internship and what unique skills and/or experience you will bring to the role.
Please upload this personal statement as the “Cover Letter.”
Please submit this application to the "Work With Us" page or through the relevant job website. Application review will begin in June 2025, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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