My name is Lake Liu and I am about to enter my final year at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ majoring in Honours International Development studies with a minor in East Asian Studies. While International Development Studies is by nature, very interdisciplinary, spanning numerous fields of study; this summer I was interested in developing hands-on practical experiences especially within the nonprofit sector. Coming from an International Development background, it was apparent to me early on that the NGO world would be an ideal field for me, and I was very keen for the opportunity to see first-hand behind the scenes of non-profit organizations.
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Last summer, I had the opportunity to intern for CAMFED, an international NGO aiming to tackle poverty through the implementation of community-centered and gender-based approaches to promoting girl's literacy in Africa. Through this experience, I was able to get my initial exposure to non-profit operations, learning the internal logistics of non-profit operations as well as seeing first-hand the impacts of community centered work. Specifically, at CAMFED I was able to familiarize myself with the financial aspect of NGO operations, working closely with the Grants and Fundraising team to explore and apply to funding opportunities. Heading into this summer, I had a strong interest in continuing to understand the financing of non-profit operations, especially as this aspect is seldom covered in my academic studies yet is integral to the sustainability of any philanthropic pursuit. Moreover, having completed my previous internship completely virtually last summer, I was eager for the opportunity to work on site and gain a feel for the everyday culture of nonprofits.
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CKUT is a non-profit, campus-community radio station based at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, broadcasting alternative music, news, and spoken word to Montreal and its neighboring regions on the 90.3 FM dial. Since 1987, CKUT has been on FM airwaves with a mission to serve as an alternative to status-quo media, a community resource for activism and advocacy, and an educational and information service to students and community members. Central to CKUT’s work are a team of hundreds of volunteers who, working with a staff of coordinators, not only contribute to creative and insightful radio programming, but also take part in managing every step of the operations of the station. As a non-profit, CKUT operates on a non-hierarchical collective management system with volunteers as key stakeholders in organizational decision-making. As a crucial component of CKUT, the Funding and Outreach Department is responsible for collecting community support and finding creative means to sustain and improve the station’s operations. The department manages the station's portfolio of funding avenues including CKUT’s annual 10-day on-air funding drive. The Funding and Outreach Department also oversees grant applications, general promotions, corporate partnerships and event & workshop planning.
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My summer internship in CKUT's Funding and Outreach division bridged my academic pursuits in International Development Studies and East Asian Studies with my career aspirations in the non-profit sector and my passion for media. CKUT, as a community radio station, serves as a vital platform for alternative music, news and cultural programming in Montreal, reflecting the cities’ cultural and linguistic diversity. Operating under a unique mandate to provide representation to programming that remains largely underrepresented within mainstream commercial radio, CKUT’s mission resonates with me on a personal level. Growing up, cultural radio programming was integral to the formation of my identity as a first-generation Canadian. It was through listening to Mandarin and Cantonese radio programs in my hometown of Vancouver that I received early exposure to the vibrant diasporic communities I belong to. This summer, I was honored to support CKUT’s meaningful work and help create accessible spaces for cultural expression for youth like me. Entering this internship, I set several learning goals and outcomes. These include gaining a comprehensive understanding of the non-profit sector, particularly in areas such as governance, compliance, and financial management. I aimed to develop proficiency in grant procurement, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement, while deepening my knowledge of social issues affecting marginalized communities. By the end of my internship, I aspired to have acquired comprehensive fundraising skills, confidence in contributing to non-profit operations, and a clearer sense of my career path within the sector. Furthermore, I hoped to establish professional networks and mentors that will support my growth and development in the non-profit field.
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As a Fundraising and Outreach Intern working in person at CKUT’s office in Montreal, I assisted with the logistics of running our annual fundraising drive. I helped run CKUT’s online and in person merchandise sales, monitoring and updating inventory. I also assisted with fundraising efforts by sending individualized thank-you cards to this year’s donors and calling organizations and individuals who have previously pledged to CKUT campaigns. Another aspect of my internship was assisting with the overseeing of the CKUT Instagram account where I helped to create graphics advertising the daily shows.
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Through my exposure to the various roles in the NGO space, I gained a stronger sense of potential job opportunities I can explore in the near future. This internship has given me a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms behind fundraising for a local community based non-profit organization. Through my work at CAMFED, I was able to see firsthand the importance of community centered organizations and the power of radio. I will use the incredible insight I gained through this experience to guide me to future opportunities as I approach the end of my degree. I am not receiving academic credit for this internship, but it has been an amazing learning opportunity which I will use to inform my future academic pursuits at McGill. I am grateful to have received the Dean of Arts Development Fund Award, which allowed me to participate in this internship while supporting myself financially through the summer. With the award’s generous support, I was afforded the chance to pursue my internship.
