University of Illinois Advancement Internship Program 2021

Established in 1935, the University of Illinois Foundation is an independent not‑for‑profit corporation responsible for raising and administering private gifts that advance the University of Illinois, a world‑class public research university system, and its excellence in teaching, research, public service, and economic development.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is a professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas. CASE helps its members build stronger relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession, and foster public support of education.

The University of Illinois Advancement Internship seeks to increase and diversify the number of professionals in educational advancement and the experience will be primarily focused on the advancement program at the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign, though exposure to the UI System will be included. 

These internships are made possible by the generous foresight and vision of late University of Illinois alumnus and UI Foundation Board Director Robert P. Reuss ’39 and University of Illinois alumnus Andrew Hibel ’90 and Elizabeth Hibel, both of whom are industry practitioners, experts and philanthropists focused on giving back to the profession.

Program Goals & Expectations

This eight week virtual summer internship will provide a hands‑on learning experience. Interns receive on‑the‑job training and gain valuable skills in the three primary professional areas of advancement—alumni relations, communications & marketing, and philanthropy.

Interns will be expected to work full time, remotely (8:30am—5:00pm, Monday through Friday) beginning on Monday, June 7, 2021 and concluding on July 30, 2021. Each intern will spend approximately 7.5 hours per week on CASE related e‑learning and curriculum and 30 hours per week on UIF based content and project work. Each intern will provide a final report and presentation on his/her experience that will be made available to the advancement community.

Application

To apply, please submit all materials online by April 16, 2021.        

Program Schedule 2021

Week 1: Advancement Overview and Onboarding  
Week 2: Major Gift Fundraising
Week 3: Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
Week 4: CASE Internship Conference
Week 5: Donor Relations and Stewardship
Week 6: Campaigns and Communications 
Week 7: Advancement Operations, Services and Innovation 
Week 8: Project Wrap Up, Sharing and Celebration

Program Elements 2021

• Each intern is assigned two advancement focused projects for the eight week long period. Each project has a “sponsor” who has agreed to guiding the intern through the experience, serving as a mentor and guide. These projects are designed to be completed within the limited timeframe, have a specific deliverable and to provide the interns with hands-on experiences that allow exposure to various areas of advancement.
• Weekly webinars and follow up work with CASE staff and faculty
• Weekly internal sessions with subject matter experts from across the UI System development program and internal partners that correspond with CASE topics and assignments
• One on one sessions with UI advancement leadership 
• Weekly sessions with Urbana Talent Management staff to focus on career pathing, resume writing, interview skill development and career coaching