Research And Development Intern Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Development, or fundraising, is about building and mobilizing resources to power change. It's how movements sustain themselves, how organizations remain accountable to their communities, and how bold ideas become real-world impact. At the ACLU of NC, our development work centers community, uplifts stories, and helps connect supporters to the issues they care about most. The ACLU-NC Development department is seeking a part-time intern to join a development team of three for 10 hours per week. The development intern will play a key role in supporting fundraising and donor engagement efforts. Reporting to the Development Director, the development intern will assist with a variety of projects that fuel our work to advance civil liberties and civil rights across the state.

This fall, the development intern will help prepare for and support at least two donor events, including a member stewardship event and a larger-scale documentary screening and panel event. Event-related responsibilities may include coordinating with event sponsors, supporting outreach to guests and community partners, and assisting with logistics and day-of support.

The intern will also support donor communications through drafting of key materials such as one-pagers, newsletters, and supporting acknowledgments. Additional skills gained through this internship may include introductory grant writing, knowledge management and database maintenance, donor communications, and development operations. Depending on the intern's skills and interests, there may also be opportunities to take on special projects.

Ideal Qualities and Skills We're looking for someone who:

• Is a strong written and verbal communicator
• Is reliable and detail-oriented, with the ability to follow through on tasks independently
• Is a creative problem-solver who is comfortable asking questions
• Is comfortable conducting research online (e.g., reviewing public bios, news coverage, and foundation websites)
• Has at least 2 years of undergraduate level education
• Can commit 10 hours per week (specific schedule will be based on intern's availability)
• Is based in the Triangle area, with reliable transportation to come into our Durham office approximately once per week
• Has passion for social justice and civil rights
• Is excited to learn about nonprofit development and fundraising strategy

What you can expect:

• Hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising, management, and development
• Professional experience in event fundraising, including planning, outreach, and execution for a major community event
• Exposure to donor stewardship, prospect research, and the role of fundraising in advancing social justice
• Opportunities to build relationship and communication skills while connecting with leaders in North Carolina's nonprofit community
• An introduction to the American Civil Liberties Union and a chance to be part of the fight for civil rights and liberties across our state

Compensation

The salary for the development intern is $15/hour for an undergraduate student or $21/hour for a graduate student, subject to applicable income tax. This position is non-exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The ACLU-NC/LF is a unionized employer. The development intern is a temporary position and is not part of the union bargaining unit.

To Apply

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter that explains your specific interest in the Development internship with the ACLU-NC. Applications may be submitted via this link and should include all materials outlined above. Please note that we will only be able to follow up with those candidates under consideration. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until August 17th, 2026.

The ACLU-NC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Recognizing that strict minimum requirements tend to disproportionately discourage women and people of color from applying for jobs for which they would otherwise be competitive, we encourage all qualified individuals to apply -- especially people of color; women; people from low-income backgrounds; people with disabilities; people who identify as LGBTQ+; and people who are formerly incarcerated or otherwise directly impacted by the criminal legal system.