ABOUT UNITED WAY
United Way mobilizes communities around the world to close gaps and open opportunities so everyone can thrive. Through our global network spanning 37 countries and 1,100 communities, United Way connects partners, donors, volunteers, and community leaders to tackle the root causes of the world’s most complex challenges while making a positive impact in the lives of millions of people. Learn more at unitedway.org.
INTERN EXPERIENCE AT UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE
Interns at United Way Worldwide gain valuable learning and working experience at a leading nonprofit organization. Our goal is to make every intern who works with us learn about the area of work they believe they plan to pursue after graduation. We want each intern to feel included, valuable, and productive in the department in which they are assigned. In addition to the hands-on experience, you’ll receive working at the largest nonprofit in the world, you will be provided with weekly meetings led by subject matter experts and professional development workshops when available.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
The internship opportunities are open to current students attending a college or university. Applicants must be eligible to work within the United States and have all documentation at the time of their application. Internship schedules will generally be Mondays through Thursdays (3 days in office, 1 day remote work possible) off on Fridays. Please upload a copy of your transcript as part of your application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Intern will be a part of the Global Philanthropy team including both Individual Giving and Foundations team members. The objectives of the Global Philanthropy team are to raise support for UWW and to enable United Ways across the network to more fully realize our shared mission and goals by leveraging support (resources, people and info) both from United Way Worldwide (UWW) and from within the network itself. This intern position will help the Individual Giving and Foundations staff deliver on team goals.
This internship provides an opportunity to gain experience in a fundraising environment at a leading nonprofit organization with worldwide reach. The intern is expected to demonstrate an interest in nonprofit organizations and have project management abilities, proficiency with technology, attention to detail, and flexibility in handling multiple projects, as well as the ability to be able to handle and protect confidential donor information.
During the internship, the intern may also meet with United Way staff in multiple departments including public policy and advocacy, international fundraising, international network, marketing, research and other areas. This provides a significant opportunity to conduct internal networking and career information gathering.
Interns will learn how a global nonprofit operates, what are the critical success factors in building a global nonprofit presence, the scope of a 1,000+ global nonprofit and how collaboration between the worldwide office and these over 1,000 United Ways works, and finally how to engage individual and foundation donors in our mission. The focus of this internship is on improving development practices and helping build a gift pipeline to support United Way’s mission.
PRIMARY PROJECTS
The work will focus on improving relationships with donors, building resources to help the Development team build a stronger gift pipeline and illustrating to the intern the best practices in building a thriving philanthropic gift pipeline.
The intern will work with both the Individual Giving and Foundation teams on specific projects throughout the summer. At any given time, the intern will typically work on two projects until completion. The intern is expected to work in the office at least three days per week.
Summer projects to include:
- Updating Content on United Way’s worldwide information hub
- Completing donor profiles using both Salesforce and iWave tools
- Updating training materials for the network
- Assisting in the preparation of session material for regional conferences
- Updating state registrations on the charitable gift annuity program
- Creating standardized templates for foundation proposals to post to UWW’s UWO page
- Synthesizing content developed to date by Foundations team
- Developing a guide that identifies our local United Ways by regions and impact areas
- Enhancing stewardship for FreeWill and IRA donors
- Other projects to be determined
Interns will use several tools such as FreeWill, Salesforce, iWave, Crescendo and others in the course of their internship. Interns will be able to participate in the monthly FreeWill virtual webinars to improve their development skills and their knowledge of the philanthropic industry.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- The internship opportunity is open to current students of undergraduate college or graduate university programs and recent graduates who are less than one year removed from the completion of their degree.
- Must have strong project management, technology and communication skills along with being detail oriented.
- Ability to multi-task. Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Must be flexible and comfortable in a fast-paced environment. Selection will be based on project delivery experience, GPA/academic achievement, extracurricular/civic activities, and strong interest in a potential career in the nonprofit industry, especially in fundraising/development.
- Strong working knowledge of all Microsoft suite of products, specifically, Excel and PowerPoint plus a willingness to learn other programs and products.
- Willingness to protect confidential donor information and to sign a non-disclosure agreement before the internship commences.
- Preferably candidates will be:
- Interested in a future career in the nonprofit world
- Have experience volunteering in a nonprofit capacity
- Demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0. Please ensure that a copy of your transcript has been uploaded with your application.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
- Weekly meetings and supplemental professional development workshops provided onsite
- Complete a learning plan according to school’s requirements for those receiving a grade
- Chance to meet and work with nonprofit subject matter experts and leaders at UWW
- Free coffee & tea onsite
- Free parking at United Way Worldwide’s parking garage
- Near Blue/Yellow Metro line (Braddock Metro Station) and then board Alexandria Free Dash bus that has stops directly across from our building
LOCATION
This internship takes place at the United Way Worldwide office at 701 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314.
TIME FRAME
Summer – June 1, 2026, to July 23, 2026
Pay Rate: $21.00 / hour-Undergraduate
$25.00 / hour-Graduate
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
United Way Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please e-mail recruitment@uww.unitedway.org or call 703-836-7100 and provide the nature of your request and your contact information.
Thank you for your interest in an internship opportunity with United Way Worldwide. You will be contacted if your qualifications are a good match, and you are selected for an interview.