West Suburban YMCA

Internship Job Title:  Development Intern   Supervisor: Senior Vice President of Mission Advancement Revision Date: January 2026  Start Date: Flexible End Date: Flexible Total Hours: Flexible Typical Schedule: Flexible schedule, but typically M-F during workday POSITION SUMMARY:  The Development Intern will work within the Development department at the West Suburban YMCA, alongside our Development team. The Y’s Development Department is responsible for raising $500,000 a year to help advance the Y’s mission, largely used for financial aid to ensure that the Y stays open to all. The Intern will gain exposure to the Y’s basic fundraising operations, including donor acknowledgement and communications, grants research and writing, events, and campaign communications. Specific tasks and projects will be determined based on the Y’s needs at the time and the intern’s interests and abilities. The intern will focus on a well-defined project with a concrete end product. SKILLS ACQUIRED:  We hope to build valuable skillsets during your time at the West Suburban YMCA, which will help build your work experience and resume. These skills include, but are not limited to: Teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, adaptability, communication skills, time management (planning/prioritizing), software/systems education, project management and building your network. OUR CULTURE:  Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.  NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:  Ability to apply in practice the knowledge and skills acquired in the academic setting High customer orientation and friendliness Experience and interest in advancing the mission of the West Suburban YMCA Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Must possess good organizational skills and be efficient in multitasking Ability to work independently and in a group setting Ability to work in a dynamic, changing, and diverse environment Commitment to consistent, agreed upon schedule Team player Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an intern encounters while performing the essential tasks listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This internship operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk or hear, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and smell. Ability to continuously stand or walk for length of shift. Ability to bend, squat, run, climb stairs, and lift up to 25 lbs.