Research Development Intern Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

The DreamChaser Foundation exists to inspire and empower Black women to realize their artistic, academic, and entrepreneurial dreams. Through support across education, the arts, and entrepreneurship, the Foundation provides resources and opportunities that help Black women pursue their goals, create new work, continue their education, and grow established businesses.

Position Overview

The Development Intern will support the DreamChaser Foundation's efforts to build the financial resources and relationships necessary to advance its mission and sustain its programs.

This internship provides hands-on exposure to nonprofit fundraising and development, including grants, sponsorships, donor engagement, fundraising campaigns, and development operations. The intern will work under the guidance of Foundation leadership and will support—not independently lead—fundraising strategy, donor solicitation, or grant submissions.

The ideal candidate is a strong researcher and communicator who is organized, resourceful, detail-oriented, and interested in philanthropy and nonprofit sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Prospect & Funding Research

• Research foundations, corporations, businesses, and other philanthropic prospects aligned with the Foundation's mission.
• Identify potential grant, sponsorship, corporate giving, and philanthropic opportunities.
• Prepare concise prospect profiles and background research.
• Track funding priorities, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and other relevant information.
• Maintain an organized funding prospect pipeline.

Grant Development Support

• Research grant opportunities and assess basic alignment with Foundation priorities.
• Maintain the Foundation's grant calendar and opportunity tracker.
• Gather program information, organizational materials, data, and supporting documentation for applications.
• Assist with grant research and preparation of draft materials under the direction of Foundation leadership.
• Track proposals, decisions, reporting requirements, and follow-up.

Sponsorship & Donor Support

• Research prospective sponsors and corporate partners.
• Assist with sponsorship materials, prospect research, and tracking.
• Support donor acknowledgment, stewardship communications, and Foundation updates.
• Maintain accurate donor, sponsor, and prospect records.
• Assist with tracking commitments, deliverables, and follow-up.

Fundraising Campaign & Event Support

• Support Foundation fundraising campaigns and giving initiatives.
• Assist with campaign timelines, tracking, communications, and follow-up.
• Provide administrative and coordination support for fundraising events as needed.
• Help track campaign and event results.

Development Operations

• Maintain development trackers, prospect databases, calendars, templates, and files.
• Help document fundraising and donor stewardship processes.
• Coordinate with the Program & Impact Intern or Foundation team to gather outcomes and stories for fundraising materials.
• Prepare development updates for Foundation leadership as requested.
• Maintain confidentiality of donor, prospect, applicant, recipient, partner, and organizational information.

Internship Projects

During the four-month internship, the intern will be assigned two to three defined projects that provide meaningful ownership and tangible work products. Projects may include developing a qualified prospect pipeline, building a grant calendar, supporting a fundraising campaign, creating a donor stewardship system, or researching sponsorship opportunities for a Foundation initiative.

What You'll Gain

• Nonprofit fundraising and development
• Foundation and corporate prospect research
• Grant research and development
• Sponsorship and corporate partnerships
• Donor stewardship
• Fundraising campaigns
• Prospect and pipeline management
• Development operations and systems

Duration & Compensation

Duration: 4 months

Schedule: Approximately 5–6 hours per week

Stipend: $1,600 total, paid in four installments of $400

Start Date: Flexible

The internship is designed around an average commitment of approximately 5–6 hours per week. Occasional fundraising or event weeks may require schedule adjustments, which will be coordinated in advance.