Spurwink is proud to continue its partnership with the Abbagadassett Foundation, whose generous grant has allowed us to continue this leadership program. This initiative offers Maine college students valuable, paid internship opportunities that provide firsthand experience in nonprofit administration. Now, in its third cycle, Next Gen continues to encourage a future generation of compassionate, skilled professionals.
This summer we are thrilled to welcome seven talented interns to Spurwink’s administrative headquarters. Representing colleges and universities from across Maine, these students bring fresh perspectives and a strong commitment to learning and professional growth.
The 2025 Summer Cohort includes:
Sadie Works and Cory Ricker from the University of Maine at Orono, Jamyah Nicolas from the University of Maine at Augusta, Lily Grant from the University of Maine at Farmington, Hannah Van Savage from Husson University, Duffy Rose from the University of Southern Maine, and Amanda Grant from Thomas College.
The cohort also includes three first-generation college students, and all are completing a structured, 10-week, 32-hour-per-week internship. In addition to hands-on departmental work, interns engage in site visits, speaker sessions, informational interviews, and a final reflection capstone.
Spurwink Internship Coordinator Brian Thill shared that this group has shown “exceptional curiosity and a genuine interest in learning about Spurwink and the nonprofit sector,” noting that he’s already seen “strong growth in their professionalism.”
This internship program is not just a job; it’s a steppingstone towards a successful career and future success. It is designed to offer interns a well-rounded experience that equips them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with the HR team, getting to shadow leaves, workers compensation, HR generalists, and talent acquisition and recruiting,” noted HR intern Hannah Van Savage. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I want to work on so far, including self-discipline and time management, the ability to ask questions and ask for help, when to lean on the other interns for support, and so much more.”
Spurwink extends its sincere appreciation to the Abbagadassett Foundation for its crucial support in funding the Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership Internship program. Through this partnership, Spurwink can empower local Maine students to thrive in nonprofit leadership and administration. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to developing the next generation of changemakers in the nonprofit sector.
Note: You can read more about Sadie Works’ experience on the University of Maine, Maine Business School website through their feature at umaine.edu/business/blog/2025/07/22/internship-story-sadie-works-at-spurwink.
