New Interns, New Blog and More!

Today, 28 undergraduates start their D-SIP internships.They're following in the footsteps of  58 alums whose lives have been changed by the D-SIP journey.

I hope you'll join me in celebrating this moment. Read about some of the latest good news from D-SIP HQ, and then join our Facebook page or follow our new D-SIP blog to stay in touch with your fellow interns, alumni, partners and friends.

Molly Dobson Helps D-SIP Grow

Many D-SIP alums remember this wonderful quote from our founding donor, Molly Dobson: "If we do not invest in education, then we fail as a society." Molly recently made a new gift to D-SIP—a $100,000 investment that will create opportunities for local non-profits and smaller U-M schools, colleges and units to host interns.

Three area organizations—the Neutral Zone, Ozone House and Michigan Radio—will host Dobson interns this summer, strengthening the nonprofit sector and building U-M's connections with the community. (Pictured at left: D-SIP alumna Malika Middlebrooks and Omari Rush of the University Musical Society attended a recent Neutral Zone fundraiser for young professionals).

"The time has come for us to launch an intentional, well-planned alumni program," says Amy Milligan, Neutral Zone's development director. "Thanks to Molly, our D-SIP intern will be able to help us do just that." See how Molly's support will create great D-SIP Experiences.

Join Molly: invest in D-SIP and support great interns

Kinesiology Moves Ahead of the Pack

The School of Kinesiology is one of four U-M schools/units—the others are Law; Music, Theatre & Dance; and the Office of Annual Giving—that have hosted a D-SIP intern every year since the program began in 2007. Under the mentorship of Kinesiology's Director of Development, Jim McIntyre, the interns have helped the School strengthen its philanthropic relationships with students and alumni.

Kellen Sarb (D-SIP Class of '07), now an Annual Giving Coordinator at Boston University, was Kinesiology's first intern. "The School's close-knit and dedicated student and alumni base gave me a great opportunity to learn how to develop strong relationships with a donor community," she says.

Katie Lyons, Kinesiology's newest intern, is looking forward to her own D-SIP experiences. "Philanthropy is such an important part of life," Lyons says. "Jim McIntyre's knowledge and experience will help me learn what development is all about.:" (Pictured at left: Jim McIntyre celebrated with Katie after her U-M graduation earlier this month.)

"Over the last four years Kinesiology has benefited at least as much as the interns have," Jim McIntyre says. "Our interns help connect us with the next generation of Kinesiology supporters-a generation that's critical to our future."

Explore D-SIP's new blog and see philanthropy's future in the making

D-SIP Grows Up

Seven other institutions now offer their students fundraising internship programs that are modeled after D-SIP. We've won major awards. Our application numbers have grown significantly. And we have 16 alums working in the development profession—including 7 at Michigan. (Pictured at left: D-SIP's inaugural Class of 2007.)

This year, D-SIP moved out of our three-year pilot phase and into full programmatic maturity. You've played a crucial part in that success. We appreciate everything you've done, and we invite you to continue supporting the program with your advice, your ideas and your philanthropy.

Discover the D-SIP difference

Thank you!

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Award-Winning Program

Winner of:

-The Grand Gold Circle of Excellence Award for Fundraising Programs

- The Gold Circle of Excellence Award for Collaborative Programs

Awarded by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)