We look forward to a Wiedersehen with our first-ever Development Intern, Sara Gooding. Here is what Sara had to say about her time on our team, January–March, 2021:

"The last three months have flown by as I interned for the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, a Chicago cultural organization that seeks to preserve and promote German and German-American culture. I spent my time at the DANK working in the Development Department, helping manage donor software as well as finding and applying for additional funding from outside sources.

Interning during a global pandemic was definitely an eye-opening experience. My internship was completely virtual, which definitely meant that I was unable to experience parts of what could be considered a 'normal' internship experience, like interacting with fellow coworkers or working in-person fundraising events. However, while I missed out on some things, I was able to experience many new opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise.

The reality of the pandemic changed how non-profits and other institutions operated, including how they received and utilized funding resources. This internship was my first time experiencing how non-profit institutions like the DANK receive funding and develop their donor network, and I was able to watch in real-time as the DANK’s development methods evolved to match their current needs.

It was definitely out of my comfort zone at first, but I have learned so much in my time here. I learned how to utilize different membership and donor software, such as Wild Apricot and Bloomerang, to manage and keep track of donations to the DANK Haus. In addition to learning donor software, I also researched grant proposals that the DANK could utilize for potential funding. My goal for this internship was to increase my skills in non-profit management and get an intimate feel for an individual museum. Mission accomplished! Thank you DANK Haus and Rosa!"

Best wishes on all your future endeavors, Sara! We know you will be a great success!