Student Jobs

Madison Public Library Foundation mobilizes the Madison community to continuously improve, promote, and support Madison Public Library.  A Madison, Wisconsin nonprofit organization, the foundation fuels literacy, opportunity, and lifelong learning through equal access to free resources. Our work relies on charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, fundraising event support, and other generous investments that help us Build Better Libraries Every Day.

• Internship runs from mid-May 2026 through mid-May 2027. Exact start and end dates are negotiable upon hire. (Interns are not expected to work regular hours over the winter break.)
• While hours are flexible, interns should be able to commit to a regular schedule each semester/term that falls largely within the foundation’s office hours (i.e. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
• Very occasional weekend or evening work will be required, with advance notice of those occasions.

• Helping plan and execute two major annual fundraising events, Ex Libris in November and Lunch for Libraries in the spring
• Helping plan and execute two other once-in-a-lifetime events, Imagination Center in Reindahl Park Opening Gala in September and the International Public Library Fundraising Conference in June 2027
• Supporting other smaller foundation events with a focus on recognition and stewardship, e.g. volunteer thank-you lunch, donor-thank-you event, etc.
• Helping to manage event logistics, e.g. venue, menus, signage, and entertainment, as well as analyzing and merging large data sets in support of events
• Organizing and maintaining event guest lists, and tracking event attendees
• Participating in committee meetings and supporting the work of event committees
• Preparing and managing solicitations and follow-up communications in support of events

• Current college sophomore or junior with interest in fundraising and/or nonprofit management; previous experience with managing large data sets and planning and executing events preferred
• Strong organizational and time management skills and a track record of successfully managing details
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally, as well as ability to comfortably interact with staff, volunteers, and donors of all kinds
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and Google applications
• Familiarity with Canva and graphic design experience, as well as project management software like Basecamp, considered as pluses

On or before March 27, 2026, send cover letter and resume as one document in PDF format to Katy Kaufman, Foundation Manager, at kkaufman@mplfoundation.org. Please include your first and last name as part of the document name. Please also write “Events Intern Application” in the subject line of the email.