Nonprofit Operations & Development InternAt — New Wave Youth and Family Therapy Services

The Nonprofit Program & Operations Intern supports the day-to-day operations and sustainability efforts of our community-based mental health nonprofit. This role provides hands-on experience in nonprofit administration, program development, outreach and engagement, case management, and community impact work while contributing to accessible, culturally responsive mental health services.

Task:

Student duties include conducting structured research on grant and funding opportunities; assisting with the preparation, organization, and documentation of grant proposals and reports; supporting program development and sustainability planning; participating in community outreach and partnership support; and assisting with data collection, documentation, and basic analysis to support program evaluation and quality improvement efforts. Interns will collaborate with nonprofit leadership and staff, apply ethical standards and confidentiality requirements, and utilize professional communication and organizational skills throughout their placement. Limited administrative tasks may be included when directly related to assigned projects, with at least 80% of duties involving sufficiently complex, professional-level work to warrant the awarding of college credit.

Training:

Student will receive the following training:

Initial Orientation (Mandatory):
At the start of the placement, students will participate in a comprehensive general employer orientation. This includes an overview of the organization’s mission, programs, population served, ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and the role of nonprofit operations in supporting accessible mental health services.

Ongoing Supervision & Mentorship:
Students will participate in weekly scheduled one-on-one mentor meetings with a designated supervisor. These meetings provide guidance, feedback, and reflective learning opportunities related to assigned tasks, professional development, and integration of academic learning into practice.

Task Overview & Contextualization:
Prior to beginning assignments, students receive clear explanations of task purpose, expected outcomes, and how each task contributes to broader nonprofit operations, funding sustainability, and community impact. This ensures students understand both the “how” and the “why” of their work.

Job Shadowing & Applied Learning:
Students may engage in job shadowing with nonprofit leadership or program staff to observe administrative workflows, outreach activities, grant-related processes, and program coordination. This exposure supports experiential learning and systems-level understanding.

Work Samples & Skills-Based Training:
Students are provided with templates, examples, and work samples (e.g., outreach materials, grant components, reporting documents) to support skill development. When appropriate, students receive targeted instruction or mini-workshops related to nonprofit operations, grant support, or community engagement.

Training Materials & Independent Learning:
Students may be assigned relevant training literature, organizational resources, or guided research activities to support learning objectives. Knowledge checks or reflective discussions may be used to reinforce understanding and professional growth.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to
1. Demonstrate an understanding of nonprofit mental health operations.
2. Gain practical knowledge of how community-based mental health organizations function, including program coordination. administrative systems, and sustainability practices.
3. Develop experience in supporting community relationships, referral networks, and mission-aligned collaborations that enhance service accessibility.
4. Utilize data and documentation to support program evaluation