The Chamber is proud to welcome a new summer intern, Kossai Hadji, from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), continuing its commitment to developing future leaders in public service, economic development, and community engagement.
The internship is made possible through a collaborative partnership between the Chamber, the Local Government Academy (LGA), and the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. LGA, a valued member of the Chamber, has long served communities throughout Western Pennsylvania by providing training, education, and professional development opportunities for municipal officials and emerging civic leaders.
Founded to strengthen local government leadership and civic capacity, the Local Government Academy works with municipalities, nonprofits, and regional partners to support effective governance and community improvement initiatives. Through partnerships like this internship program, LGA helps connect graduate students with hands on experiences that support both professional growth and community impact.
GSPIA, one of the nation’s leading schools for public affairs and policy studies, prepares students for careers in government, nonprofit management, public policy, and international affairs. The school emphasizes applied learning, research, and civic engagement, making internships a key part of the student experience.
The Chamber’s summer intern brings experience in public policy research, fundraising outreach, event planning, and strategic analysis. During the internship, Hadji will assist with research initiatives, strategic planning support, grant and funding research, event coordination, and community engagement efforts that align with the Chamber’s mission of strengthening local businesses and neighborhoods.
Q&A with the Chamber’s Summer Intern
Q: Can you walk us through a time when you conducted research to support a project or program? What methods did you use to gather data, and how did you ensure its accuracy and relevance?
A: “I have done research for numerous policy papers and memos during my master’s studies at Pitt’s SPIA. For instance, I used data from government reports, peer-reviewed publications via Pitt’s library database, Google Scholar, and reliable sources like .gov and .org websites to write a comparative policy study on plastic waste management in North Africa. I cross-referenced several sources to guarantee accuracy, giving government and peer-reviewed publications precedence over content based on opinions.”
Q: What tools or resources would you use to identify potential funding opportunities, such as grants or sponsorships, for a nonprofit organization?
A: “Grants.gov, Foundation Directory Online, and Candid are examples of specialized grant databases that I would begin with. Additionally, I would research corporate sponsorship initiatives, local community foundations, and federal government websites that are pertinent to the organization’s objective. I would also investigate the funding sources for comparable NGOs in the area, as this frequently uncovers untapped potential. As part of my ongoing strategy, I would also continue to subscribe to grant raising initiatives?
A: “First, creating tiered corporate sponsorship packages for hallmark events would provide local companies with an opportunity for visible branding in exchange for financial assistance. These are some suggestions I would make specifically for the Chamber. Second, looking for funding-generating research collaborations or student engagement initiatives with Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, and other colleges. Third, starting a workshop series or small business incubator with a registration fee that would both benefit the community and make money. Lastly, developing a more robust online presence and a narrative approach centered on member success stories may draw individual contributors and charitable foundations that are interested in community development.”
Q: If you were asked to research new fundraising opportunities for our organization, how would you prioritize which ideas or opportunities to pursue?
A: “Alignment with the Chamber’s objective, viability given present capacity, and possible return on time and resource investment are the three criteria I would use to assess each possibility. I would begin by outlining every opportunity that is accessible, then rank them according to those standards. I would also consider the timetable; certain awards must be prioritized in accordance with their stringent deadlines or multi-year cycles. To provide the Chamber with both immediate and long-term finance, the objective would be to pursue a combination of short-term gains and longer-term strategic prospects.”
The Chamber looks forward to working alongside Hadji throughout the summer and continuing its partnership with LGA and Pitt GSPIA to support the next generation of civic and nonprofit leadership.
This partnership reflects the Chamber’s ongoing investment in regional collaboration, workforce development, and community-driven innovation. We are excited to welcome talented students who are passionate about public service and strengthening our communities.
