Previous Internship Projects

Spring 2025

At HARK, we know that empowering future leaders starts with giving them real opportunities to make a difference. Our internship program is built on that belief—offering students firsthand experience in nonprofit operations, grant writing, and community advocacy. This past semester, Shelby Johnson, a sociology major from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, brought passion, insight, and purpose to every part of her internship.

Shelby dedicated over seven hours a week working alongside the HARK Board and community partners on a critical grant writing initiative. Under the mentorship of our Board member, Jackie Miller, and our Administrator, Elizabeth Bragg, she played a leading role in preparing and submitting two major grant proposals. Her contributions were not only vital to the proposals themselves, but also to our ongoing efforts to support vulnerable children in Buncombe County.

What made Shelby’s experience especially powerful was how it connected with her academic work. As part of her senior project, she wrote a thesis titled “The Art and Importance of Grant Writing: A Case Study in Nonprofit Survival and Advocacy for Vulnerable Populations.” In her introduction, she reflects on a major realization from her time at HARK:

“Interning with a nonprofit that serves vulnerable youth has shown me just how much these organizations depend on grant funding, not just to keep their programs running, but to survive at all.”

Shelby Johnson, UNC Asheville - Sociology Major

Before her internship, Shelby saw grant writing as a behind-the-scenes administrative task. But through her work at HARK—including revising a proposal after an initial rejection—she began to understand how closely grant writing is tied to storytelling, strategy, and systemic advocacy. As she writes in her project:

“It’s not just about filling out applications or asking for money. It’s about making a case for why your work matters, especially when resources are limited and many organizations are competing for the same pool of funding.”

Her hands-on experience helped her see how nonprofits must often adapt their messaging to match evolving funder priorities, all while staying true to their mission. She observed how data is used not just to report outcomes, but to shape narratives and prove long-term impact. As Shelby powerfully states in her thesis:

“My thesis is that grant writing is an essential part of nonprofit survival and advocacy, shaping not only which programs get funded, but also how vulnerable communities are represented and prioritized.”

During her internship, Shelby was more than just an observer—she was a key contributor. She engaged in planning discussions, led the writing of major proposals, and consistently delivered thoughtful, high-quality work. She described the HARK team as “supportive, mission-driven, and collaborative,” and said she always felt that her input was welcomed and respected.

Shelby’s internship didn’t just prepare her for a future career—it helped define it. The experience affirmed her passion for working with at-risk youth and inspired her to pursue a career in counseling, with a continued interest in nonprofit advocacy and grant development. Her story illustrates the profound and lasting impact that real-world learning, strong mentorship, and community engagement can have.

At HARK, we’re honored to support students like Shelby. Her journey shows what’s possible when academic curiosity meets meaningful service—and how the power of a well-told story can create real change.