Development Strategic Operations Intern

EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.

Location

U.S. Remote with option to be based in an EDF office in New York, Boston, Washington DC, Boulder, or San Francisco. Intern supervisor is in New York.

Term

Fall 2026 & Spring 2027

Hours

Full-Time (35 hours/week)

Application Materials

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.

Program/Department Overview

EDF’s Global Development department, which includes approximately 140 staff, raises the funds that support EDF’s mission. 

The Development Strategic Operations team is responsible for a range of internal operations that underpin EDF’s $300M+ annual fundraising effort to support the Organization’s critical mission work. The team’s three specialized units – Research, Database Services, and Information & Strategy – identify potential supporters, develop system solutions to manage information and support business processes, and lead internal communications, staff engagement, and learning and training initiatives for the Department. Strategic Operations collaborates with other operations teams and stakeholder-partners across Global Development and with partners in other departments, including Information Technology and Human Resources.

Overall Function

The intern will assist the Strategic Operations team in projects that support fundraisers in their work with donors. They will report to the Project Manager, Development Information and Strategy and will work closely with the Information and Strategy team, Development Research, and Development Database Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with Development new hire orientation planning by collaborating with the Information & Strategy team and other members of the Development department to schedule onboarding meetings and develop orientation materials.

• Support the team's efforts to advance operational excellence in support of the department. Responsibilities may include:

• Auditing and gathering resources
• Drafting team communications
• Updating or supporting the development of internal documentation and/or guidance resources.

• Assist with data cleanup, mapping, and tracking of constituent information in and outside of Salesforce to support fundraising efforts. Potential projects include: 

• Donor data review and cleanup in preparation for a fundraising capacity assessment to determine future fundraising potential.  

• Mapping and tracking of environment-focused funder collaboratives, philanthropy advisory firms and regrantors.  

• Foundation staff data review and cleanup.

• Attend meetings and collaborate with the Information and Strategy team, Development Research, and Development Database Services to support fundraising efforts.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or a recent graduate of an undergraduate degree program.
• Demonstrated interest in nonprofit management, operations, business, fundraising, or related fields.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality working with sensitive and personal data and information.
• Experience in Salesforce (or other CRM databases) a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be well organized, motivated, and detail oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting, demonstrate initiative and work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.

Compensation

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading non-profits at $18/hr or the local minimum wage if it exceeds $18/hour.

Learn more about internships at EDF -http://www.edf.org/environmental-careers/internships