Research Internship jobs in Toronto, ON

Fundraising & Membership Services Intern (7-Month Internship)

Join a Garden That Connects People and Plants

Toronto Botanical Garden is seeking an enthusiastic and organized emerging professional to join our Fundraising & Membership Development team for a 7-month internship.

As a free public garden serving more than 350,000 visitors annually, Toronto Botanical Garden relies on strong fundraising, membership engagement, and community relationships to sustain free and low-cost access to environmental education, public programs, and beautiful green space in the heart of Toronto.

This is a hands-on opportunity to gain meaningful experience across nonprofit fundraising, donor stewardship, membership services, grant support, communications, and public engagement while contributing to a mission-driven cultural and environmental organization.

Position Details

Position Title: Fundraising & Membership Services Intern
Term: 7-Month Internship (September 7, 2026 – March 31, 2027)
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Work Environment: Primarily on-site with some flexibility depending on operational needs
Compensation: $20-22/hour commensurate with experience
Start Date: September 7, 2026

About Toronto Botanical Garden

Toronto Botanical Garden is a four-acre public garden and community hub offering free, year-round access to nature. Through horticulture, environmental education, arts programming, and community events, TBG fosters sustainable communities and environmental stewardship while connecting people and plants.

What You’ll Gain

This internship is designed to provide structured, career-launching experience in the nonprofit, arts, heritage, and environmental sectors. You will gain hands-on experience in:

• Fundraising solicitations and annual giving campaigns, including Membership development
• Corporate sponsorship outreach and stewardship support
• Donor impact reporting
• Community engagement and event coordination
• Fundraising communications and storytelling
• CRM and donor database management (Raiser’s Edge, Constant contact)
• Cross-departmental collaboration in a cultural institution

You’ll contribute to real projects with measurable outcomes while developing practical and transferable skills.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising, Sponsorship & Donor Engagement

• Support donor communications, acknowledgements, stewardship materials, and fundraising campaigns
• Assist with Toronto Botanical Garden’s Hearts & Flowers Annual Giving Campaign
• Conduct prospect research on individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners
• Maintain and update donor and prospect records in the CRM database
• Raise funds through grant application support
• Steward donors through funder reporting
• Raise funds through active sponsorship outreach
• Prepare donor, member and sponsor correspondence and campaign materials

Membership Services

• Process memberships, renewals, upgrades, and gift memberships
• Prepare membership welcome packages and renewal communications
• Respond to membership and visitor inquiries in person and online
• Support membership outreach during events and peak visitor periods
• Help maintain accurate membership records and mailing lists
• Assist with tracking membership activity and trends

Communications & Storytelling Support

• Assist with donor and member communications, newsletters, and seasonal appeals
• Support email campaigns and digital fundraising content
• Source and organize photos from events, programs, and garden spaces
• Collect stories, quotes, and program highlights for reports and communications
• Assist with website content updates related to fundraising and membership

Events & Community Engagement

• Support fundraising and membership events throughout the year
• Assist with event logistics, outreach materials, and on-site coordination
• Welcome donors, members, visitors, and community participants
• Support outreach to local partners, corporate groups, and community organizations

Administrative & Coordination Support

• Organize digital and physical files related to development activities
• Maintain calendars, timelines, and internal tracking documents
• Assist with meeting materials, presentations, and reporting
• Coordinate with staff across departments on collaborative projects

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a recent post-secondary graduate with education or demonstrated interest in areas such as:

• Nonprofit Management or Fundraising
• Arts, Cultural, Museum, or Heritage Studies
• Environmental Studies or Horticulture
• Communications, Marketing, or Event Management

Candidates with an interest in environmental education, cultural institutions, nonprofit work, or public gardens are encouraged to apply.

Skills & Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organization and attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Comfort using digital communication tools and social media platforms
• Interest in learning CRM and donor database systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• A collaborative, proactive, and professional attitude
• Confidence engaging with members, visitors, donors, and the public

Experience with fundraising, event coordination, membership services, or nonprofit organizations is considered an asset.

Why Join Toronto Botanical Garden?

This internship offers the opportunity to build meaningful professional experience while contributing to a beloved public garden and community institution.

By supporting fundraising and membership growth, you will help sustain environmental education, accessible green space, and community programming for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Your resume
• A brief cover letter outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Pay: $20.00-$22.00 per hour

Application question(s):

• Please indicate if you have you ever held a summer or other internship role in the past that was funded by Young Canada Works (note that this question is not asking about Canada Summer Jobs, which is a different program)
• As this role is funded by a Young Canada Works grant, please confirm you:

Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);

Are legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);

Are between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and

Are a college or university graduate (certificate, bachelor's, master's or doctorate)

Work Location: In person