[Summer 2025] Grants Writing & Research Intern, IINE Boston - International Institute of New England

Summer 2025 Grants Writing & Research Intern (IINE Boston)

The International Institute of New England is a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving refugees and immigrants in Boston, MA, Lowell, MA, and Manchester, NH. The Institute offers internships to students, graduate students, and recent graduates with demonstrated interest or experience in supporting refugee, asylee, and immigrant populations. Each internship includes an educational component, through which interns contextualize their experience and reflect on their service.

All internships are unpaid and correspond roughly with the US semester system:

• Summer Internship: June through mid-August 2025

(Applications requested by May 2nd, considered thereafter until positions are filled)

First consideration is given to applicants that can commit at least 16 hours per week over the course of the semester outlined above. Applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of whether their schedule fits the semester system; IINE makes exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Slots fill quickly and candidates are encouraged to apply earlier than the requested date above.

Please note that this internship will be a hybrid format, meaning that some in-person hours at our Boston, MA office are required.

Grants Writing and Research Internship Overview:

The Grants Writing and Research Intern will support IINE’s Manager of Foundation Relations and Public Grant Writer and Contract Coordinator by researching prospective private foundations, drafting various communications pieces, supporting grant deadlines management, and helping to prepare and package both public and private grants for submittal. The intern will help coordinate the collection of materials needed for proposal development and assist with the preparation and timely submissions proposals and reports.

Reports To: Public Grant Writer
Location: Boston, MA (hybrid format)

Key Responsibilities:

• Utilizing institutional funder database systems and foundation websites to research, identify, and evaluate prospective funders and grant opportunities.
• Maintaining and updating internal resources used for grant writing and reporting, including a data dashboard, program and site overviews, and other organizational information
• Conducting grants-related research on needs and trends affecting immigrants and refugees in New England
• Attending weekly Grants Team meetings to report on research and provide project updates
• Assisting in proposal, report, and sponsorship application writing and submission
• Organizing and updating grant files and materials in IINE’s shared drive
• Supporting Grants Team on projects to evaluate the impact of its work and stewardship efforts
• Observing client services, attending site meetings, and conducting outreach to agency staff to collect program details for grant submissions
• Supporting administrative work such as collecting signatures, mailing correspondence, and other tasks as needed

Qualifications:

• Excellent oral/written communication and research skills (writing sample is required)
• Interest in international, refugee, asylee, and/or immigrant issues
• Professionalism, discretion, and maturity in dealing with confidential information
• Experience in development, fundraising, or networking preferred
• Highly organized with great attention to detail, deadlines, and time management skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to switch gears quickly
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with Asana or other work management platforms a plus

Learning Objectives:

1. Gain exposure to network of philanthropic, community, and faith-based organizations that provide funding opportunities for the Boston area
2. Develop a professional voice and gain valuable business and fundraising writing experience
3. Gain insight into both development and programmatic work at a non-profit
4. Learn basic grant writing, the stages of grant and proposal management, and how to package and submit grants
5. Respectfully express and engage ideas and values in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual environment