Corporate Giving Intern

About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.

We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 300 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Corporate Giving Intern.  The Research Alliances department builds and manages strategic partnerships with industry and corporate partners to advance the Foundation’s research priorities. The Intern will support the team’s partnerships and fundraising efforts by identifying and evaluating corporate grant opportunities that align with the Foundation’s mission. The intern will conduct comprehensive research on open corporate giving programs and philanthropic initiatives, with an emphasis on grants connected to medical research, community engagement and events, and educational resources related to overall health and wellbeing.

The Intern will work closely with Corporate Giving Relationship Managers to ensure potential opportunities are aligned with organizational priorities and positioned for successful application. This work is expected to serve as a base for expanding the Foundation’s participation in corporate social responsibility programs and open-call grant applications, ultimately supporting efforts to generate new revenue and cultivate meaningful corporate partnerships. By identifying and prioritizing well-aligned opportunities, this research will help position the Foundation to strengthen and diversify its revenue streams, enhance its programs, and build relationships with corporate partners committed to advancing the Foundation’s impact.

This internship can be remote or hybrid-flex with the opportunity to work out of MJFF’s office in New York City.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on corporate social responsibility programs and open corporate grant opportunities aligned with the Foundation’s mission
• Monitor trends in corporate philanthropy and social impact to build a pipeline of new business opportunities
• Analyze grant eligibility requirements, funding criteria and application processes for identified opportunities
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of potential grants, including deadlines and key contacts
• Prepare concise reports and summaries to share findings with Corporate Giving Relationship Managers and inform strategic decision-making
• Present aggregated work to the Foundation’s Research Alliances team members at the conclusion of the internship

Qualifications and Skills: 
Experience in one or more of the following:

• Working in a relevant discipline within the nonprofit or business space
• A bachelor’s degree
• MBA candidates
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, written and verbal communication skills
• Conscientious working style with great attention to detail
• Proven ability to be resourceful and work independently
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office, specifically PowerPoint and data management in Excel

Salary and Benefits:
The hourly rate for this internship is:

• Undergraduate Students: $18-$20/hr.
• Graduate Students: $20-$22/hr.

How to Apply: 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.

MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.