Marketing EDGE Reinforces Support for TNPA Foundation’s Leading EDGE Student Internship Program with a New $127,000 Contribution
The Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA) Foundation is delighted to announce a significant continuation of support from Marketing EDGE, which has generously contributed an additional $127,000 to the Leading EDGE Student Internship Program. This donation bolsters efforts to introduce college students to careers in the nonprofit sector, including marketing, data-focused, and organizational infrastructure roles.
Initiated with a $250,000 grant from Marketing EDGE in 2022, Leading EDGE has grown substantially each year. The program, named to honor its foundational funder, has successfully placed 30 students into paid internships with 22 employers, leading to two full-time employment opportunities to date. In addition to summer internships, Leading EDGE engages students year-round through micro-internships, a mentor directory, and
events like the annual virtual Career Day. The program’s reach includes collaborations with more than 15 schools in the Washington D.C. and New York City areas, and the intentional inclusion of first-generation and historically underrepresented students.
Shelby Truxon, Vice President of Internship Experience at TNPA, commented, “The interest from students has been phenomenal, with more than 800 applications received so far. The continued support from Marketing EDGE enables us to expand our program into new cities and alleviate costs for both students and nonprofit employers. We couldn’t be more grateful for Marketing EDGE’s support.”
Marketing EDGE, a 56-year-old nonprofit organization, ceased operations in 2022. At the time, CEO & President Terri L. Bartlett announced, “After a careful vetting and selection process guided by our core principles … we have identified six nonprofit organizations that will be launching Marketing EDGE-sponsored initiatives in the months and years ahead.” TNPA Foundation was one of the six recipients. In a surprising and welcome development, the Marketing EDGE Board of Trustees decided earlier this year to allocate all remaining funds to the TNPA Foundation’s Leading EDGE program as a final act of support.
TNPA CEO Shannon McCracken expressed gratitude, stating, “This exceptional partnership and the unexpected additional contribution affirm Marketing EDGE’s lasting commitment to educational opportunities and career development for young professionals. Their support is invaluable as we continue to nurture the next generation of nonprofit leaders.”
The Leading EDGE program is finalizing matches for its third summer cohort and will soon announce the new group of employers and student interns. For more information on the Leading EDGE program and partnership opportunities, please visit TNPA.org/leading_edge.
About The Nonprofit Alliance Foundation
The Nonprofit Alliance Foundation supports the educational priorities of The Nonprofit Alliance, an association that fosters the development and growth of nonprofit organizations and the donors, members, partners, and volunteers who support them. Members represent a diverse landscape of causes and include industry experts who help nonprofits in their public outreach, fundraising, and resource development. For more information, visit tnpa.org.
Author: Shelby Truxon
Shelby Truxon is Vice President of Internship Experience at The Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA).
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