Advancement Summer Internship Program - UI Stanley Museum of Art Development Intern

The University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA) is currently providing opportunities for full-time paid summer internships. UICA encourages students from all backgrounds to explore careers in nonprofit settings, promote engagement with the University of Iowa, support and advance the university and its programs through meaningful pre-professional opportunities, and support potential graduates to obtain roles within our organization. 

The UICA will provide 9 intern opportunities that provide 10 weeks of work experience, June 2 - August 6. Internships are open to students entering their second year of college in Fall 2027 through students graduating from any college or university in 2027. Interns will earn $18/hour and will be provided with the flexibility and technology to work from home two days per week if desired. Up to five unpaid vacation days will be available throughout the internship program if desired. At the conclusion of the internship, all interns are expected to give a final presentation highlighting their experience and projects they have worked on. Housing and benefits are not available as part of the intern experience, and interns must be within driving distance of our Iowa City, IA office. 

As the UI Stanley Museum of Art Development Intern, you will support fundraising and donor engagement efforts that advance the mission and priorities of the UI Stanley Museum of Art. Working alongside the Director of Development and Program Coordinator, you will contribute to annual, special, and major gift fundraising initiatives while helping strengthen donor relationships and expand philanthropic support for the museum. This internship will provide hands-on experience in donor engagement, prospect development, stewardship, museum membership, and major gift fundraising, including exposure to gifts of artwork. Through meaningful projects and collaboration with advancement and museum professionals, you will gain valuable insight into how fundraising supports arts organizations and creates opportunities for donor connection and impact. 

Core Responsibilities 

• Gain exposure to the major gift fundraising process by assisting with prospect research, meeting preparation, and meeting follow-up. 

• Support long-term fundraising pipeline development by identifying and researching prospective annual, special, and major gift donors, including individuals interested in donating artwork. 

• Assist in assessing and refining the museum's membership program by conducting research, analyzing engagement opportunities, and providing recommendations for future growth. 

• Support planning efforts for the museum's forthcoming Collector's Circle membership tier, including research, benchmarking, and donor engagement strategies. 

• Develop recommendations for three to five arts-enriched donor engagement experiences that could be implemented over the next one to two years to strengthen donor relationships and support fundraising goals. 

• Conduct research to create a matrix of prospective institutional supporters for the UI Stanley Museum of Art with a focus on arts foundations and lending collections.  

• Assist with stewardship communications, including donor letters, impact-focused messaging, ThankView content, and recognition efforts for artwork donors and other museum supporters. 

Qualifications 

• Open to students entering their second year of college in Fall 2027 through students graduating from any college or university in 2027 

• Must be within driving distance of our Iowa City, IA office. 

*2027 UICA internship opportunity applications will remain open UNTIL 4:00pm CDT, Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 

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Salary : $18