Internship Success Stories and Testimonials

After graduating from our internship program in 2005, Janet Upadhye served as the supervisor to her own GIFT intern. The following year, Janet became Development Director of San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR). Her work includes creating SFWAR's Walk Against Rape, which raised $22,000 in 2006 to support survivors of sexual violence.

Janet serves as an internship mentor and is a proud donor of GIFT.

Less than one year after graduating from our internship program in 2007 as an intern at Focus Points Family Resource Center, Ruth Zerezghi was hired as a Community Development and Training Officer at the Chinook Fund. At Chinook, Ruth fundraises to support a wide range of grassroots social justice groups in Colorado. She also fundraises extensively within her Eritrean community. 

Ruth is helping to launch GIFT's Internship Alumni Network and is a proud donor of GIFT.

I am at day four of my pretty fulltime position as a Development Associate of [a social justice organization]. A year ago it wouldn't have even crossed my mind that this would happen/be possible. I feel really comfortable there so far and I feel I have the skills needed....I can see doing more of this long-term...(be proud of yourself, [GIFT staff])...

It really means a lot to me to feel so supported. Thank you for all of your hard work....You are always on the ball, and it's great to be a part of such a well-run program.

[Our site] loves [our intern]. Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping her to work with us....[As a result of the internship], grassroots fundraising is more integrated into the daily work of [our organization] than ever before....Just having a GIFT intern put grassroots fundraising into conversation within the organization in a really helpful way... (from a supervisor)

Each GIFT intern gets:

• A 5-day all-expense paid initial training and a 3-day midterm training on grassroots fundraising for social justice
• A stipend of $250 per week for 20 hours of work per week throughout the 6-month internship
• 1-on-1 mentorship from a seasoned grassroots fundraiser
• Peer support through bimonthly all-intern conference calls
• Access to the extensive resources that GIFT and the Grassroots Fundraising Journal have to offer, including a 1-year subscription to the Journal and help with job placement when they graduate

We give interns the best resources and training available because we're investing in the future of our social justice movements. We need safer, stronger, healthier communities. Our interns are leaders who can and do help make this happen.

Please donate to GIFT to invest in leadership for strong, sustainable social justice movements. Thank you for your support!

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