Development Internship

Internship available:        Development Intern
Location:                           Fully in-person at EESI's office in Washington, D.C.
Terms:                               26-30 hours per week. A recommended course load for a 30-hour internship is 3-6 credit hours.
Compensation:                 $17.50/hour. Undergraduate course credit for the internship is possible.
Semester:                          Summer 2025
Start date:                          May or June 2025
Application Deadline:      Currently Closed

About EESI

Founded by a bipartisan group of members of Congress, the nonprofit Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) has been working since 1984 to advance science-based solutions for climate change, energy, and environmental challenges in order to achieve our vision of a sustainable, resilient, and equitable world.

EESI is committed to building a community of staff, board members, advisors, donors, interns, fellows and volunteers, and partners that holds diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values.

About the Development Internship

As the Development Intern, you'll have the opportunity to participate in discussions and strategy sessions about funding our work on climate mitigation and resilience, potentially be part of meetings with donors, write web articles, and write or edit reports or proposals for donors—all while learning about energy and environmental policy and helping out with logistics for our Congressional briefings. EESI’s work centers on clean energy, energy efficiency, adaptation and resilience, environmental and climate justice, sustainable agriculture and forestry, sustainable transportation, workforce, among others.

You will join a committed and friendly team dedicated to helping you succeed both in the internship and beyond as you launch a career in the field. As part of the internship experience, we hold weekly professional development sessions with EESI staff and guests from various sectors. Guest speakers have included representatives from government agencies, graduate programs, and international organizations.

EESI’s interns contribute substantially to the advancement of critical environmental and energy policies while gaining insight into the workings of Congress and the federal legislative process, knowledge of significant environmental and energy issues, and an understanding of how a non-profit organization works.  EESI's relationships with other organizations and across sectors provides opportunities for interns to witness how environmental and energy issues develop within the public policy arena. 
 

How you will be making a positive impact

As a valued member of EESI’s Development Team, you will:

• Contribute to writing, editing, and proofreading of grant proposals on federal policy and utility innovation, climate change mitigation and resilience, environmental justice, equity, and related topics.
• Hone your writing skills by drafting articles related to donor stewardship and fundraising (e.g., donor profiles, reporting to donors on EESI’s activities, drafting donor reports)
• Contribute to the development of donor-facing marketing materials, often including basic graphic design, in conjunction with EESI’s Development and Communications teams
• Take a deep dive into the philanthropic world by attending webinars and conducting research related to fundraising and donor stewardship
• Play a part in the successful execution of our informative and acclaimed Congressional briefings, which are a key source of information for members of Congress and their staff. 
• Other responsibilities as they develop, based on your interest areas and EESI’s needs

How your talents and interests are best aligned for success in the internship

Our internship program is designed for students who are currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree as a current or rising junior or senior. Prior internship experience is not required.

• Interest in climate change, environmental, and energy issues
• Enthusiasm for fundraising and donor stewardship in pursuit of EESI’s mission, with experience in fundraising and stewardship a plus (e.g., raising money for a cause, contributing to a grant proposal).
• Effective communication skills to share your ideas and thoughts with the team.
• Ability to work in a team or independently as needed
• Attention to detail
• Strong writing and research skills
• Self-starter, flexible and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• An aspiration to grow and expand your skills and knowledge.
• Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Word preferred with ability and enthusiasm for learning new skills in other kinds of software (e.g., Canva).

Here at EESI, we’d love you to apply, even if you don’t tick all the boxes above. We’d like to understand what it would take for you to succeed in this position. 

Compensation

Interns are compensated at the rate of $17.50/hr. You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

What’s Next

To apply for EESI’s Development Internship, please submit the following materials: 

1. We would like to learn more about your interest in our internship through a brief (1-2 paragraphs, 300 word maximum) essay. You may use these prompts as a guide:
   • Could you tell us about your future career goal(s) and how you feel EESI’s development internship fits in?
   • What do you hope to learn and how do you envision this internship experience will allow you to grow?
   • What interests you in learning about nonprofit fundraising by interning at a climate nonprofit?
   • Feel free to share other relevant experiences, goals, or skills in your response.
   • For more information on EESI's approach to advancing climate solutions, see About Us | EESI
2. Resume
3. Writing sample in an accessible style, one page maximum. We are seeking interns with an engaging, reader-friendly style to help get EESI's message across. 
   • Tips: submit a writing sample other than an academic research paper. If you have not yet had the opportunity to write a non-academic research paper, you could consider adapting an academic paper you have already written for a general audience

About our application and review process

In an effort to ensure that our internship selection process is fair, we redact all personal information before reviewing applications including college/university names. Each candidate’s anonymized application (cover letter, resume, and writing sample) is reviewed by a member of our staff. Full profiles, unredacted, are viewable by EESI staff at the interview stage. We are committed to updating candidates on the status of their applications.

EESI is committed to creating a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. EESI works to advance equitable climate solutions.

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