Donor Engagement and Acquisition Intern (High Sierra AHEC, Pack Intern, Spring 2026)

**This internship is hosted by High Sierra AHEC and sponsored by the Nevada Career Studio and ASUN. 

Students are highly encouraged to visit the Nevada Career Studio in-person Fridays from 12:00 to 4:00 or use our Virtual Resume + Cover Letter Tune Up service BEFORE applying for these positions. Students are welcome to by any time during our drop-in hours, but we’ll have dedicated staff on Fridays! Resumes and cover letters that do not meet NCS expectations will not be included in applicant packages to employers.   

High Sierra AHEC 

About High Sierra AHEC: 

For over 40 years, the Nevada AHEC Program has been a vital resource 

for rural and underserved communities, recruiting, training, and placing healthcare professionals committed to delivering essential care. By building a diverse and highly skilled workforce, we address Nevada's 

provider-to-patient disparities and ensure that even the most vulnerable populations have access to quality healthcare. Together, we drive lasting change and advance health equity throughout the state. 

Mission Statement: 

High Sierra AHEC is dedicated to alleviating Nevada's healthcare workforce shortages by recruiting, training, and placing diverse healthcare professionals in rural and underserved communities, improving access to quality care for all. 

Vision Statement: 

Our vision is to empower the next generation of Nevada's healthcare leaders, starting with engagement in K-12 education to cultivate a compassionate and skilled future workforce. We are committed to promoting health equity, compassion, and inclusive care by equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed for culturally competent, safe, and empathetic practices. Through these efforts, we aim to enhance the health and well-being of all Nevadans. 

Internship Description: 

A Donor Acquisition and Engagement Intern will focus on supporting donor outreach, relationship building, and maintaining long-term engagement with supporters. The intern would gain experience in fundraising, relationship management, and donor communications, while contributing meaningfully to High Sierra AHEC's development and expansion efforts 

Duties/Responsibilities:  

• Donor Research: 
  • Conduct research to identify potential donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations. 
  • Use donor databases and other tools to find new prospects and track engagement history. 
• Outreach and Engagement: 
  • Assist in creating and sending personalized communications to potential and current donors, such as thank-you notes, newsletters, and impact reports. 
  • Support outreach efforts, including drafting emails or phone scripts for donor solicitation and follow-up. 
• Event Support: 
  • Help plan and execute donor cultivation events, fundraising campaigns, and engagement activities. 
  • Assist with logistics, event materials, and post-event follow-up. 
• Data Management: 
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions in the CRM system or donor management software. 
  • Analyze donor data to identify trends and opportunities for deeper engagement or follow-up. 
• Marketing and Communications: 
  • Collaborate with the marketing team to develop donor-centric content for social media, newsletters, and fundraising campaigns. 
  • Create donor spotlights or stories highlighting their impact on the organization's mission. 
• Grant Writing Assistance: 
  • Assist with researching grant opportunities and preparing materials for grant applications. 
  • Support the development of grant reports to maintain relationships with institutional donors. 
• Reporting and Analysis: 
  • Track the success of donor acquisition and engagement strategies by analyzing campaign metrics and donor retention rates. 
  • Provide recommendations for improving donor outreach efforts based on data analysis. 
• Administrative Support: 
  • Handle donor inquiries, manage mailing lists, and assist in preparing materials for donor meetings. 
  • Support with scheduling meetings or calls with potential and existing donors. 

Goals and Expectations of the Intern: 

• Complete 120 hours of work as an intern (8-15 hours per week, 15 weeks total) 
• Goals: 
  • Increase Donor Acquisition:  
    • Identify and engage at least 10-20 new potential donors (or a set target based on identified goals and strategic plan) through research, outreach, and communications. 
  • Support Donor Engagement Efforts:  
    • Contribute to the development and execution of at least one major fundraising or donor engagement campaign or event during the internship period. 
    • Assist in the creation of donor-centric content (e.g., thank-you emails, newsletters) that fosters stronger relationships with current and potential donors. 
  • Improve Donor Data Accuracy:  
    • Ensure that donor data and interactions are properly documented in the CRM/donor management system, with at least a 95% accuracy rate by the end of the internship. 
  • Contribute to Donor Retention:  
    • Collaborate with the team to develop and implement strategies that help retain existing donors, aiming for at least a 5-10% increase in donor retention during the period of engagement. 
  • Develop Skills in Fundraising and Donor Relations:  
    • By the end of the internship, the intern should demonstrate an understanding of donor research, engagement strategies, and basic fundraising principles, along with experience using donor management software. 
• Expectations: 
  • Proactive Communication:  
    • Regularly update the team on progress with donor research, outreach efforts, and any challenges faced. Respond promptly to internal communications and donor inquiries.  
  • Attention to Detail:  
    • Ensure all communications with donors are accurate, personalized, and align with the organization's mission and tone. 
    • Maintain detailed records of all donor interactions, meetings, and events in the donor management system. 
  • Professionalism: 
    • Represent the nonprofit in a professional manner during all donor-facing interactions, including phone calls, emails, and events. Uphold the confidentiality and privacy of donor information at all times.  
  • Creativity and Initiative:  
    • Contribute creative ideas to enhance donor engagement and acquisition strategies, including campaigns, outreach methods, and communications. Take initiative in identifying new potential donors and opportunities for engagement. 
  • Team Collaboration:  
    • Work closely with the development, communications, and event teams to align donor acquisition and engagement efforts with broader organizational goals. Be a flexible team player, assisting in any areas where support is needed.  
  • Timely Completion of Tasks:  
    • Meet deadlines for research, outreach, reporting, and event support. Complete assigned tasks related to donor campaigns or events in a timely manner with minimal supervision. 
  • Learning and Growth: 
    • Actively seek feedback and implement it to improve skills in donor relations and fundraising. 
    • Show a commitment to learning about nonprofit development and donor acquisition strategies. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno during the Spring ‘26 semester 
• Communication Skills: 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft professional and persuasive messages for donors. 
• Research Skills: 
  • Ability to conduct research on potential donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, and present findings in a clear and concise manner. 
• Detail-Oriented: 
  • Strong attention to detail when managing donor data, organizing events, or drafting outreach materials. 
• Organization and Time Management: 
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment. 
• Interpersonal Skills: 
  • Excellent relationship-building skills, with a professional and positive attitude when interacting with donors, partners, and team members. Technical Proficiency: 
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides). 
• Experience with or willingness to learn donor management software or CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Keela, Constant Contact). 
• Passion for Nonprofit Work: 
  • A genuine interest in working in the nonprofit sector and contributing to the organization's mission, with a strong desire to make a positive impact. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Coursework in in Nonprofit Management, Marketing, Communications, Business, Public Relations, or a related field. 
• Marketing and Social Media Awareness (preferred): Basic understanding of social media platforms and how they can be used for donor engagement and outreach. 
• Event Planning Experience (preferred): Previous experience in organizing events or supporting event logistics is a plus. 

Desired Schedule for Intern:  

Our hours of Operation are Monday-Friday 830-5pm. Desired Schedule is flexible as long at it falls within our normal hours of operation 

PIGP internships require interns to complete 120 hours during their internship. It is the intern’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.