Intern, Development & Community Events-Knoxville, TN

About the role

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us. We have an exciting opportunity for an intern on our Development Team. This role will provide hands-on support for the American Heart Association's fundraising campaigns and signature events, including Heart Ball, Teen of Impact, Go Red for Women, and the Executive Leadership Breakfast. You will assist with donor and sponsor communications, event logistics, prospect research, stewardship activities, and marketing materials while learning the full fundraising and donor engagement cycle. Your responsibilities will include a variety of tasks that contribute to the planning, execution, and follow-up of these life-saving initiatives. The American Heart Association’s Internship Program provides college students an opportunity for hands-on experience in various facets for individuals interested in gaining work experience with a non-profit, voluntary health organization.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development and implementation of fundraising activities, logistics, and administrative support for the Knoxville market.
• Work with Event Coordinators, Development Directors, and Market Leadership to support fundraising campaigns Go Red for Women, Heart Challenge, Heart of Knoxville.
• Assistance with pre-campaign planning, day of event execution, and post-campaign wrap-up projects.
• Execute external calls and emails to donors, volunteers, and 3rd party vendors.
• Develop and update marketing materials for campaigns including save the dates, invitations, social media posts, volunteer rosters, and other needed collateral to assist in campaign promotion.
• Assist with volunteer management including prepping for and attending externally facing meetings (both in-person and virtual.)
• Conduct prospect research to generate new leads and compile information for fundraising campaigns.

Qualifications

• Candidates who are seniors or graduate students pursuing a degree in business preferably marketing, event planning, public relations.
• Must be comfortable with external outreach (phone calls & emails to vendors & donors).
• Experience/interest in promotion, sales, or fundraising.
• Experience with event planning for a non-profit or for profit organization.
• Exposure to project management methodologies or tools through coursework, internships, work experience, or student organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in effective one-on-one and group communications and comfort with working professionally with all levels of community leaders, volunteers, and staff.
• Proficient in multiple social media platforms.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment managing multiple priorities involving multiple entities.
• Intermediate to excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office and Canva.
• Required: Reliable WiFi Connection and reliable transportation.
• Minimum availability of 20 hrs/wk, M-F between the hours of 8:30am-5pm.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship, now or in the future.

Pay

Salary: $23.00 per hour.

Schedule

Internship runs from January 25, 2027 to May 7, 2027. Time commitment: 20‑25 hours per week, Monday‑Friday between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm. Location: Knoxville, TN (in‑office).

Benefits

• Professional development opportunities including access to Heart U (over 100,000 resources), Employee Resource Groups, and mentoring programs.
• Healthcare benefits: eligibility to participate in Teladoc General Medical and Behavioral Health programs and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost.