Development Intern

For over 20 years, the Sikh Coalition, a national community-based, civil rights organization, has defended Sikh civil liberties in the courtroom, classroom, community, and halls of Congress. Whether it?s working to secure safer schools, combat and prevent hate and discrimination, create equal employment opportunities and access, or empower local Sikh communities, the Sikh Coalition?s goal is working towards a world where Sikhs, and other religious and racial minorities in America, may freely practice their faith without bias and discrimination.

The Sikh Coalition is a nonpartisan, civil rights nonprofit with nearly 20 full-time staff and over one hundred volunteers that operates on a $2.4+ million budget with complete financial transparency. Our funding comes from grants, private foundations, and individual donors. We receive no funding from any government agencies.

We strive to do this work with integrity (sach), selflessness (seva) and with the lasting belief that our shared work holds a greater purpose (sangarsh). We will relentlessly pursue our goals while putting the community and these values first.

Position Summary: The Sikh Coalition is seeking a dynamic intern to work in conjunction with our development team. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in fundraising, development, and non-profit management.

Responsibilities will include:

• Collaborating with the Development Manager to plan and execute fundraising events.
• Researching corporate giving programs, identifying potential sponsorships, and assisting with outreach strategies.
• Identifying and prospecting grant opportunities, drafting proposals, and collaborating on submissions.
• Supporting the planning and logistics of End-of-Year (EoY) fundraising efforts to ensure smooth execution.
• Developing scripts and strategic plans for donor outreach calls ahead of this summer?s fundraising initiatives.

The internship will be managed by the Development Manager, who will be sharing project management responsibilities on a variety of development related projects. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in civil rights to build and strengthen their skills in research, analysis, writing, and fundraising in a non-profit setting that helps empower and educate. In addition, the internship provides an opportunity for the individual to gain an understanding of how a Sikh civil rights organizations and other stakeholders manage development initiatives and fundraising efforts.

Qualifications: The Sikh Coalition is seeking a passionate individual dedicated to protecting and advocating for the civil and human rights of all individuals.

We are looking for someone who has:

• The ideal candidate is pursuing either a bachelor?s or master's degree in public policy, business, nonprofit relations, or related.
• A high level of attention to detail and organization.
• The highest personal levels of ethical conduct, confidentiality, and integrity, with a strong professional reputation in the industry.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Critical thinking abilities to process data from multiple sources, forecast potential scenarios, and recommend the best course of action.
• Strong attention to detail
• Knowledge of the Sikh Coalition's mission and initiatives.

Accepted interns are required to work a minimum of 20-25 hours per week for 10-12 weeks during the summer. This internship is a remote position. Laptops and equipment will not be provided, but summer interns will receive a $1,000 stipend in addition to any funding they may receive from external sources, including their respective schools. The Sikh Coalition is happy to provide verification of the internship for college credit where applicable.

To Apply: Please apply online with a resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 15, 2025.