The Opportunity
SRTM is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented college student to join our development team as a Grant Writer Intern for the 2026–2027 academic year. This is not a filing or data-entry internship. You will be doing real grant writing — researching funders, drafting narrative proposals, compiling application materials, and submitting grants on behalf of an organization whose work you will come to know deeply.
By the end of this internship, you will have submitted a minimum of 5 grant applications to real funders, built a portfolio of professional writing samples, developed a working knowledge of the NJ philanthropic landscape, and gained hands-on experience in nonprofit development that most students don't access until their first professional job.
Compensation & Bonus Structure
BASE STIPEND
$3,000
Paid over the full internship period (September 2026 – May 2027). Disbursed in monthly installments of approximately $333/month.
PERFORMANCE BONUS
$500
Awarded at the end of the internship period if the intern successfully submits all 5 assigned grant applications by their deadlines, with all required components complete and meeting SRTM's quality standard.
Total Potential
A Grant Writer Intern who meets all goals can earn $3,500 total over the 9-month internship — $3,000 base stipend + $500 performance bonus.
Payment terms: the base stipend will be issued as 1099 compensation. Interns are responsible for their own taxes. SRTM will issue the $500 bonus upon verification that all 5 applications were submitted on time and meet quality standards as determined by the CEO.
Core Responsibilities
The Grant Writer Intern is responsible for the following activities across the internship period:
GRANT RESEARCH & CALENDAR MANAGEMENT
- Research and identify grant opportunities aligned with SRTM's mission in youth development, workforce development, afterschool programming, and economic mobility.
- Verify funder eligibility requirements — geographic focus, organizational eligibility, program alignment, and award range — before recommending any grant for pursuit.
- Maintain SRTM's Grant Calendar tab: update deadlines, application status, assigned amounts, and notes for all grants in the pipeline.
- Provide the CEO with a bi-weekly pipeline update identifying grants due in the next 60 days and any action items requiring CEO input.
GRANT WRITING & APPLICATION PREPARATION
- Draft full grant narratives for a minimum of 5 grant applications across the internship period, working from SRTM's program data, impact reports, and the Fundraising SOP framework.
- Write clearly and compellingly for nonprofit funders — leading with outcomes and data, not activities; using Camden-specific community need data to contextualize SRTM's work.
- Compile all required application attachments: IRS determination letter, 990, board list, audited financials, organizational budget, and program one-pagers — from SRTM's Grant Ready Folder.
- Ensure all applications are submitted a minimum of 72 hours before the funder's deadline. No exceptions.
- Submit all applications through the funder's required portal or method, save confirmation receipts, and update the Grant Tracker the same day as submission.
GRANT TRACKING & REPORTING SUPPORT
- Update SRTM's Grant Tracker within 24 hours of any grant activity — application submitted, funder contact made, award or decline received.
- Support the Development Director in preparing interim and final grant reports for active grants as assigned.
- Help compile program outcome data from SRTM's five dashboard trackers (Attendance, Behavior, Homework, Voucher, Manager) for use in grant applications and reports.
- Assist with writing thank-you letters and acknowledgments to funders upon grant awards.
LEARNING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Participate in weekly check-in meetings with the CEO/Development Director (30 minutes, remote or in-person).
- Attend at least one NJ nonprofit or funder information session during the internship period (virtual attendance acceptable).
- Review and apply SRTM's Fundraising Standard Operating Procedures as the guide for all development activities.
- Provide written feedback at the midpoint and end of the internship on the experience, challenges, and suggestions for improvement.
The 5-Grant Goal — What Success Looks Like
The intern is responsible for submitting 5 complete, quality grant applications between September 2026 and May 2027. These will be selected collaboratively with the CEO from SRTM's Grant Calendar based on the intern's start date, funder deadlines, and available program data. Below is a sample of what the 5-grant portfolio might look like:
#
Funder (Sample)
Ask Amount
Target Deadline
Category
1
Turrell Fund (NJ)
$15,000–$25,000
Sept/Oct 2026
Youth Development / Afterschool
2
Campbell Soup Foundation
$10,000–$20,000
Jan 2027
Education / Community (Camden)
3
Claneil Foundation
$5,000–$15,000
Feb 2027
General Operating / Youth
4
TD Charitable Foundation
$10,000–$20,000
Rolling 2027
Education / Workforce
5
NJ DOE After3 or similar
$20,000–$50,000
Spring 2027
Afterschool / Academic Support
Final grant selections will be confirmed during the intern's first week based on actual funder deadlines, current Grant Calendar status, and SRTM's program data availability. The intern will not be expected to submit grants for which SRTM does not have the necessary supporting documentation.
What We Are Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as a college sophomore, junior, or senior (or recent graduate within 6 months of graduation)
- Strong written communication skills — ability to write clearly, concisely, and compellingly for a professional audience
- Detail-oriented and highly organized — grant writing is unforgiving of errors and missed deadlines
- Self-directed and able to work independently with minimal supervision in a remote environment
- Comfortable with Google Workspace or Microsoft Office (Docs/Word, Sheets/Excel)
- Genuine interest in nonprofit work, social justice, youth development, or community economic development
Preferred Qualifications
- Coursework or experience in nonprofit management, public policy, social work, communications, English, education, or a related field
- Previous writing experience — journalism, academic research, persuasive writing, communications internship, or similar
- Familiarity with grant writing or fundraising concepts (even from a class or volunteer experience)
- Knowledge of Camden, NJ or experience working in under-resourced communities
- Ability to visit SRTM's Camden site at least once during the internship period
What You Will Gain
This internship is designed to give you real professional experience — not make-work tasks. Here is what you will leave with:
Portfolio of Real Work
5 submitted grant applications to real funders — professional writing samples you can use in job applications and interviews immediately.
Sector Knowledge
A working understanding of the NJ philanthropic landscape, including how community foundations, corporate foundations, and government funders make decisions.
Nonprofit Operations Experience
Exposure to a real nonprofit's development systems, program data, and funding strategy — the behind-the-scenes work most students don't see until their first job.
Professional Mentorship
Weekly direct access to SRTM's CEO, who has 15+ years of experience in nonprofit leadership and community development in South Jersey.
Letters of Recommendation
Strong performers will receive a detailed, personalized letter of recommendation from the CEO upon completion of the internship.
Professional Network
Connections to SRTM's partner organizations, employer partners, and NJ nonprofit community — a network that takes most people years to build.
Schedule, Location & Logistics
Hours
15 hours per week. The intern and supervisor will agree on a schedule during the first week. Hours are flexible and can be arranged around class schedules.
Remote Work
The majority of work can be completed remotely. Interns are expected to attend weekly virtual check-in meetings and may be asked to visit SRTM's Camden office occasionally for orientation, events, or collaborative sessions.
Internship Period
September 2026 – May 2027. The intern is expected to complete the full internship period to receive the full stipend. Interns who leave before May 2027 will receive a prorated stipend based on months completed. The $500 bonus requires full completion.
Tools
SRTM uses Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive). All grant tracking, research, and writing will be conducted in shared Google documents. A personal laptop or computer with internet access is required.
Academic Credit
SRTM is happy to support academic internship credit requirements. The CEO will complete any required supervisor evaluations or forms needed by your institution.
Pay: $3,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- No more than one page write a short cover letter telling us why SRTM's mission connects with you, what writing experience do you bring (any kind), and what you hope to learn from this internship. Be specific. Generic cover letters are immediately apparent.
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Camden, NJ 08103
