Grants Capacity Building Internship Opportunity

Internships

Are you looking for an opportunity to show your skills and expand your network while supporting the vast ecosystem of nonprofits in Western NY? Causewave Community Partners addresses strategic, organizational, and marketing challenges in order to build capacity in our area’s nonprofits, coalitions, and communities. We meet our mission by helping our partners reach theirs.

Our partners work on a wide range on causes including access to education, workforce development, protecting our planet, mental health, poverty reduction, social justice initiatives and more.

As part of a small team, interns at Causewave are an integral part of the organization’s work. Interns can expect to work on substantive projects, develop professional skills, network with industry professionals, and benefit from the personal attention of their supervisors. Internship schedules are flexible and usually require a 10-15 hour weekly commitment. Internships are unpaid. Students seeking academic credit should inquire with their school regarding any requirements. Undergraduates and those not currently enrolled in a college or university may apply.

The intern will be mentored and given responsibilities based on ability, interest, and experience.

We’re actively working toward an equitable and inclusive environment for all team members, and seek candidates who will bring diverse perspectives and experiences to our organization.

Education level: High School diploma or GED

*We accept applications on an ongoing basis.*

Grants Capacity Building Internship Opportunity

Our Grants Capacity Building Initiative is designed to get money into the hands of individuals, communities, and organizations who have historically been on the economic sidelines. We work towards this north star by building the capacity of grassroots organizations, particularly those led by BIPOC leaders, to seek, win, and manage grants. Learn more about the program here.

Are you looking for an opportunity to build your grant writing skills and expand your network while supporting nonprofits in Western NY? The intern will be mentored and given responsibilities based on ability, interest, and experience. Our goal is to show you how rewarding nonprofit work can be, equip you with transferable skills, and foster talent for the future of the sector. This internship in particular will be designed to build your grantseeking muscles.

Key Responsibilities & Potential Projects

The intern's day-to-day experience will be a blend of hands-on program support and professional development, potentially including:

• *Long-Term Project*: Co-creating a long-term project to be completed by the end of the internship. You will learn program management from the ground up by building a workplan and making steady progress each week.
• *Partner Consultations*: Attending consultations with nonprofit organizations alongside the Senior Program Manager to support note-taking, resource sharing, and follow-up communications. Identifying any areas for potential process improvement.
• *Written communication*: Working with the Senior Program Manager to write and/or assess grant applications for partner organizations.
• *Documentation*: Gathering and organizing essential grant documentation.
• *Skill-Building & Networking*: Scheduling and leading short, 15-to-30-minute meetings with everyone on the staff to build your professional network and communication skills.
• *Professional Tools*: Utilizing foundational workplace tools as well as AI and grant-specific tools to stay organized and collaborate.

Interested? Check out the full opportunity description here.To apply, please write a brief email describing how this internship will advance your professional goals, attach a PDF of your current resume, and send it to Ray Wugg, Senior Manager of Grants Capacity Building, at rwugg@causewave.org by July 31, 2026.