Building capacity and capability with a CBE intern

There’s one thing that businesses in the not-for-profit sector often have in common: achieving a great deal on a shoestring.

For Project Independence, a Canberra-based charity pioneering supported home ownership for people with intellectual disabilities, interns from The Australian National University (ANU) College of Business and Economics (CBE) are an important value add.

“Our small village model pairs affordable, private units with nearby support so residents can build equity, learn life skills, and belong in their community,” says Project Independence CEO Michael Claessens.

“The approach reduces reliance on crisis accommodation and delivers long-term stability, dignity and financial inclusion. With new developments planned in the ACT and interstate, we partner with business, government and community to scale a proven pathway to independence.”

Engaging with a CBE intern can provide a boost to any team, particularly one that is resource limited.

“CBE interns bring fresh, applied business skills – market research, data analysis, finance and marketing – that directly strengthen a lean charity,” says Michael.

Aboli Tavhare, who recently graduated from CBE with a Master of Project Management, interned with Project Independence in Semester 1, 2025.

“I was drawn to Project Independence because it works at the intersection of housing and social inclusion, giving me the opportunity to explore how project management frameworks can be utilised in community-oriented organisation,” she says.

“Alongside practical experience in project delivery and fundraising, I gained a deeper understanding of how purpose-driven organisations build collaboration, community trust, and social impact.”

How can a CBE intern contribute to building the organisation’s mission?

“They deliver well-scoped projects (e.g., donor analytics, campaign dashboards, partnership prospecting) that create tools we keep using. The program also builds our talent pipeline and a culture of learning. In return, students gain end-to-end experience where their work translates into real outcomes for residents and families,” says Michael.

For intern Aboli, this was certainly the case.

“I experienced the dynamic challenges of managing fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and financial modelling in real time,” she says.

Unlike classroom case studies, which present clearly defined problems, the internship required navigating uncertainties, adapting to evolving contexts, and balancing competing priorities – skills that can only be honed through practice.

The benefits an intern brings are numerous and continue long after the internship ends.

“Interns give us immediate capacity and capability. They help turn data into decisions – cleaning CRM records, profiling donors, building reports, testing digital journeys – and support content and events with research, copy and logistics,” says May Bhattacharya, Manager of Marketing, Fundraising and Events at Project Independence.

“These deliverables lift campaign performance, reduce costs, and free our staff to focus on high-value relationships. Our recent intern also documented repeatable processes, so the value continues after the placement.”

The added benefits to not-for profits

Charities are resource-constrained but innovation-hungry. Students bring contemporary skills, curiosity and speed; we provide purposeful briefs, mentoring and context.

"The result is pragmatic innovation—better systems, sharper storytelling, and stronger evidence of impact—delivered affordably and ethically,” says May.

Plus, the impact extends beyond the host organisation to the sector more generally.

“Engagement also grows the sector by graduating work-ready professionals who understand governance, consent and dignity in fundraising and marketing,” May says.

“Many become volunteers, donors or future hires, creating a virtuous circle.”

Find out more about becoming an intern host here, or explore other engagement opportunities.

The ANU College of Business and Economics offers an extensive range of specialised programs. Click here for more details.