Development Intern - Corporate Relations (Fall 2026 - Unpaid)

About Middle East Institute

Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute is the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated solely to the study of the Middle East. It is a non-partisan think tank providing expert policy analysis, educational and professional development services, and a hub for engaging with the region's arts and culture.

Development Intern – Corporate Relations

Internship Description

As a Development Intern supporting Corporate Relations, you will assist with corporate donor engagement, prospect research, outreach, and stewardship efforts. You will work closely with the Associate Director for Corporate Relations to help grow and strengthen MEI's Corporate Council while gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising and relationship management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct prospect research to identify potential corporate partners and funding opportunities.
• Assist with outreach to prospective and current Corporate Council members.
• Help maintain accurate donor and prospect records in Salesforce.
• Support the planning and execution of Corporate Council meetings, briefings, conferences, and other donor engagement events.
• Assist with preparing briefing materials, donor profiles, meeting notes, and follow-up communications.
• Research corporate giving trends and identify opportunities for new partnerships.
• Assist with stewardship activities, including tracking engagement and helping coordinate donor communications.
• Provide general administrative and operational support for Corporate Relations initiatives as needed.

Educational Objectives:

• Gain hands-on experience in corporate fundraising and donor relations within a nonprofit organization.
• Develop skills in prospect research, relationship management, donor stewardship, and CRM database management.
• Learn best practices in corporate partnership development and strategic outreach.
• Gain exposure to the fundraising operations of a leading think tank focused on the Middle East.

Qualifications:

• Enrolled in or a recent graduate of a bachelor's program in International Relations, Political Science, Business, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Marketing, or a related field.
• Strong interest in fundraising, corporate partnerships, nonprofit development, or the Middle East.
• Excellent communication, organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong research and analytical abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office (Salesforce or other CRM experience is a plus).
• Self-motivated, organized, and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits:

• Hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising and corporate donor relations.
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced development professionals.
• Exposure to corporate partnership strategy and donor engagement.
• Networking opportunities within the nonprofit and corporate sectors.