As I work towards my Master of Nonprofit Management at the University of Oregon, my internship with ShelterCare’s development team has been an invaluable addition to my education. It allowed me to apply what I am learning in my program to direct hands-on work. The experience has helped me to enhance my skills in fundraising, including event planning and grant management.
During my internship, I had the opportunity to participate in several meaningful projects and events at ShelterCare. One of the main projects I worked on during my internship was the spend-down of a grant funded by SELCO Community Credit Union for move-in kits. During this project, I was in charge of finding, buying, and tracking inventory for over 1,400 items for 20 move-in kits. After all of the supplies were organized and ready, SELCO staff members came in and volunteered their time to help pack the supplies. Seeing members of the community so excited to be assisting in the creation of move-in kits was amazing. They put so much care and effort into each kit. It felt very rewarding to see the work of this grant distribution come to fruition with the creation of these kits. Many individuals who are entering housing have very few belongings, and a set of essentials, such as kitchenware, toiletries, and cleaning supplies, can provide individuals with comfort and stability during their transition into ShelterCare’s housing.
I also got the opportunity to be a part of several of ShelterCare’s events. ShelterCare partners with Thrill The World Eugene each year to help fundraise for the organization. The organization goes around Eugene performing flashmobs in the community and collects donations for ShelterCare. I was able to attend a tailgate for a University of Oregon football game, where TTWE was performing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dressed as zombies throughout the tailgate. Their enthusiasm for supporting ShelterCare was infectious, and they brought many smiles to people throughout the day.
Later, the group volunteered at our Run For Your Life 5K, a zombie-themed run that ShelterCare hosts each year. Leading up to the 5K, I was involved in events such as packet pick-up for runners, helping to organize registration, selling merchandise, assisting with registration at the event, as well as setting up and taking down. The volunteers that ShelterCare’s Volunteer Coordinator, Lila, organized made the event amazing. Volunteers assisted in registration, were course marshals, and some even dressed as zombies that popped out and chased runners at the event. Over 250 volunteers and close to 400 runners were at the event, all of them enthusiastic members of the community coming together to help support the amazing work that ShelterCare is doing.
Another event that I got to be involved with was ShelterCare’s Mega Dance Party: Boogie Down. In the planning of the dance, I worked in our CRM to track registration, song requests, and marketing of the event, and supported event operations through tasks like check-in and raffle ticket sales.
Alongside event work, I also had the chance to research and write a grant. With guidance from my supervisor, Cat, I researched and wrote a grant for ShelterCare’s Permanent Supported Housing program. While I have studied grant writing in my coursework, this was my first opportunity to write a full proposal for a real organization. I also worked on several smaller grants, each one helping to build my confidence and refine my skills. One of which was funded to purchase supplies for ShelterCare’s Free Store.
My internship also supported my professional growth as I had the opportunity to build connections with members of the community. The development team at ShelterCare invited me to attend an Emerald Valley Development Professional (EVDP) meeting, where there was a panel of grantmakers talking about the grant process and taking questions from organizations about the grants. I was encouraged to build connections through informational interviews with development professionals in the community. This opened the opportunity to hear about development strategies that are being used right now and the amazing work these organizations are doing. Additionally, I attended a Children’s Legacy Foundation meeting with ShelterCare’s Development Coordinator, Alyssa, who is currently on the Board of Directors. Attending these meetings made me excited to join community organizations that promote development work in the future.
My internship at ShelterCare has strengthened my passion for a career in nonprofit development and helped me refine skills in the grant process, event coordination, professional development, and community engagement. I am thankful for the development team for their support and willingness to include me in such meaningful work, and am excited to carry the skills I have developed at ShelterCare with me as I finish my graduate studies and continue to contribute to the nonprofit sector with a career in development.
About the Author
Grace Geissman-White is graduating with her Master of Nonprofit Management in spring 2026. She is a double duck, earning a BS in Planning, Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon in 2025. Outside of school, she is on the board of directors for the Springfield Public Library Foundation and works as the Development Associate for Oregon Contemporary Theatre. She is excited to pursue a career in development, working in youth-centred or basic needs organizations in the future.