INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Summer Intern: Development

CompanyAEI
LocationWashington
Work ModeOn Site
PostedJanuary 29, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will assist with researching prospective donors, executing donor outreach communications, and maintaining the capabilities of the team’s database. They will also gain experience in data analysis and reporting for key team objectives.
Internship Type
other
Company Size
963
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
Who we are: The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture. How we do it: We are committed to making the intellectual, moral, and practical case for expanding freedom, increasing individual opportunity, and strengthening the free enterprise system in America and around the world. Our work explores ideas that further these goals, and AEI scholars take part in this pursuit with academic freedom. AEI operates independently of any political party and has no institutional positions. Our scholars’ conclusions are fueled by rigorous, data-driven research and broad-ranging evidence. Our work: Our scholars not only engage in research that focuses on today’s most critical challenges but also look ahead to ideas and issues that have yet to be widely recognized. AEI scholars pursue innovative, independent work across a wide array of subjects. From economics, education, health care, and poverty to foreign and defense studies, public opinion, politics, society, and culture, our experts drive the competition of ideas.
About the Role

Overview

The Development department at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is the organization’s fundraising apparatus, attracting and managing financial support for all AEI initiatives and operations. AEI is supported by individuals, foundations, and corporations that share AEI’s core values—free people, free markets, and American global leadership—and engage with the Institute through private and public events, publications, personal meetings, and more.

 

The Development intern will achieve a holistic understanding of the fundraising operations of a top-tier think tank and join a dynamic team with a unique and highly successful fundraising model. The intern will assist with researching prospective donors, executing donor outreach communications, and maintaining the capabilities of the team’s database. The intern will also gain experience in data analysis and reporting for key team objectives. The intern is encouraged to network with colleagues within and beyond the department and participate in scholarly events at the Institute, in addition to attending intern-specific programming. Candidates who can participate in the program in-person for close to 40 hours per week are encouraged to apply.

 

About AEI Internships

 

AEI internships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates to gain experience in research, writing, business, and communications at one of the nation’s leading think tanks. Competitive candidates will generally have a GPA of 3.5 or higher from a top-ranking college or university. AEI’s internship program runs for 12 weeks, and all related programming will take place in person in Washington, DC. Please see the internship program home page for updates.

 

The summer program dates are either Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, August 21, or Tuesday, June 2, to Friday, August 28.

Key Skills
ResearchData AnalysisFundraisingCommunicationNetworkingDatabase Management
Categories
Government & Public SectorEducationConsultingAdministrative