Brave Like Me Foundation creates moments of joy for children with complex medical conditions. Through Brayden’s Books, we bring comfort and connection; through Brave Friends Adventures, we create unforgettable experiences; and through Brave Pets, we reunite kids with the pets who love them most. Inspired by Brayden Otten, we exist to bring courage, hope, and joy when families need it most.

Brave Like Me Foundation exists to bring courage, comfort, and joy to children with complex medical conditions and their families. Inspired by the life of Brayden Otten, our work is grounded in three pillars:

Mind – Brayden's Books

Literacy, connection, and comfort during medical care.

Body – Brave Friends Adventures

Joyful experiences and unforgettable adventures shared with a best friend or sibling.

Spirit – Brave Pets

Reuniting hospitalized children with their beloved pets through the Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center.

Together, these pillars create a more human approach to healing by recognizing that emotional connection, joyful experiences, and meaningful relationships are essential parts of a child's healthcare journey.

Brave Like Me operates with a startup mindset. We move quickly, embrace innovation, and constantly look for better ways to accomplish our mission. Interns receive meaningful ownership, real-world experience, and the opportunity to help shape how AI transforms nonprofit organizations.

This is an unpaid internship; however, candidates may be eligible to receive academic credit or work-study funding through their college or university. Interns typically work 10-15 hours per week, primarily during standard business hours, with flexibility based on class schedules.

This isn't a "watch and learn" internship. You'll design, build, test, and deploy real AI solutions that our team will use every day. If you love building things and want your work to have an immediate impact, you'll fit right in.

Core Responsibilities

AI Automation & Workflow Design

• Design and build AI-powered workflows that eliminate repetitive administrative work.
• Create automations using low-cost or free platforms such as Make.com and other no-code or low-code tools.
• Connect systems like Shopify, Givebutter, Google Workspace, OpenAI, and Gemini to improve internal efficiency.
• Identify repetitive processes and recommend creative automation solutions.

AI Tools & Internal Systems

• Help build internal AI assistants for fundraising, marketing, volunteer management, programs, and operations.
• Develop prompt libraries and reusable AI workflows that improve consistency across the organization.
• Test new AI platforms and recommend practical tools that provide real value while remaining cost-conscious.
• Organize and improve internal knowledge so staff can quickly access policies, procedures, and organizational resources.

Vibe Coding & Rapid Prototyping

• Build lightweight internal tools and prototypes using modern AI-assisted development platforms.
• Experiment with new ideas, quickly test concepts, and iterate based on team feedback.
• Collaborate with staff to turn everyday challenges into simple digital solutions.
• Document projects so future staff and interns can maintain and improve them.

Research & Innovation

• Stay current on emerging AI tools, automation platforms, and productivity technologies.
• Evaluate new software and determine whether it could improve Brave Like Me's operations.
• Present new ideas, demonstrations, and automation opportunities to the team.
• Help establish Brave Like Me as a leader in nonprofit AI innovation.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student pursuing Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship, or a related field.
• Passion for AI, automation, technology, and solving real-world problems.
• Comfortable learning new software independently.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple projects.
• Curious, creative, and willing to experiment with new technologies.

Experience with any of the following is helpful but not required:

• ChatGPT, OpenAI, or Google Gemini
• Make.com, Zapier, or n8n
• Shopify
• APIs or webhooks
• JavaScript or Python
• Cursor, Replit, Bolt.new, Lovable, Windsurf, or similar AI-assisted development tools
• GitHub

We care far more about curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn than checking every box.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience building AI systems that solve real organizational challenges.
• The opportunity to create automations used by a growing nonprofit serving children and families across the country.
• Experience with emerging AI platforms, workflow automation, prompt engineering, APIs, and AI-assisted software development.
• A portfolio of meaningful projects demonstrating real-world AI implementation.
• Mentorship in nonprofit innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology strategy.
• The chance to help shape how artificial intelligence can increase impact within the nonprofit sector.