2026 UI Advancement Internship Program

Established in 1935, the University of Illinois Foundation is an independent not-for-profit corporation responsible for raising and administering private gifts that advance the University of Illinois, a world-class public research university system, and its excellence in teaching, research, public service, and economic development.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is a professional association serving educational institutions and advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and allied areas. CASE helps its members build stronger relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession, and foster public support of education.

The University of Illinois Advancement Internship is an exciting opportunity for talented undergraduate and graduate students to explore careers in the impactful and fulfilling field of higher education advancement. In partnership with the Council for Support and Advancement of Education (CASE), this eight-week paid summer internship seeks to increase and diversify the number of professionals in educational advancement and provides on-the-job training in the four primary professional areas of advancement—alumni relations, communications & marketing, philanthropy, and advancement services. Although the experience will be primarily focused on the advancement program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, exposure throughout the UI System will be included. 

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Interns will be expected to work on-site in Urbana-Champaign beginning on June 1st and concluding on July 24th. This program is full time, 8:30am—5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Each intern will spend approximately 7.5 hours per week on CASE related e-learning and curriculum and 30 hours per week on UIF based content and project work. Interns will also travel to a three-day CASE Advancement Internship Conference in Washington, DC. Each intern will provide a final report and presentation on their experience that will be made available to the University of Illinois advancement community. 

Pay for the internship will be $18/hr. 

Application Deadline: March 6, 2026.

Application Process: Your submission must include your resume and a personal statement describing your interest in educational advancement. Application review will begin immediately, so early submissions are encouraged. Candidates may create a profile through https://jobs.uif.uillinois.edu. 

For further information regarding application procedures, contact Timothy Lawley, Manager of Advancement Learning & Development, University of Illinois Foundation at [email protected]. Finalists will undergo reference and background checks. 

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER