This blog was written by Davidson College intern Charlotte Mahmoud after her 6 week internship with A2S the summer of 2026 as a reflection on her time working at A2S and what she learned.

Every 60 seconds, six more Nigerians fall into poverty. At the same time, 18.5 million children in Nigeria are out of school, and one in three Nigerians is unemployed. Those statistics are shocking, but after these six weeks spent interning with Access to Success (A2S), they stopped simply feeling like numbers. They became the reason behind every email I sent, every conversation I had, and every resource I created.

Nigerian-wear day! Charlotte Mahmoud (top right) with staff at a team lunch.

Access to Success exists to ensure that every child and family in Nigeria can find a dignified path to a successful life and unlock their potential for a future filled with hope. Rather than addressing only one aspect of poverty, A2S takes a holistic approach by investing in education, athletics, leadership development, faith, and community support. Through programs like the After School Academy, students receive academic support, mentorship, and opportunities that help break the cycle of poverty. While I worked in the U.S. office, I constantly saw how administrative work and fundraising directly fuel the life-changing programs taking place in Nigeria. One of my fellow interns, also named Charlotte, even had the opportunity to travel there this summer, bringing back stories and photos that made the mission feel even more tangible.

As an A2S U.S. Office Intern, I quickly realized that fundraising is about far more than asking for donations, but about building relationships and creating opportunities for others to make a difference. My primary project was designing the Access to Success Champions Program, a year-long fundraising initiative that equips passionate supporters to become ambassadors for the organization. Instead of simply making a one-time gift, Champions commit to raising funds through their own communities, with personalized fundraising plans and resources to help them succeed.

Building this fundraising framework meant creating everything from onboarding materials and welcome packets to fundraising guides, communication templates, social media graphics, and event planning resources. I wanted every Champion to feel confident sharing the mission without having to start from scratch. My main goal was to create a sustainable system that will continue generating support long after my internship ends.

Alongside my capstone project, I also spent time conducting donor outreach. If you had asked me six weeks ago, I would have admitted that reaching out to potential donors and asking for money sounded intimidating. But through practice and encouragement, I became much more comfortable having conversations with supporters and communicating the organization’s impact. That confidence in communication is something I’ll carry into future leadership roles.

One of the biggest lessons I learned this summer is that meaningful impact isn’t limited to the people working directly with partners. Before this internship, I often thought the most important work in a nonprofit organization happened on the ground. Now I understand that every email sent, every spreadsheet updated, and every fundraising resource created helps make that direct service possible. Even tasks that can feel like “busy work” contribute to the organization’s mission because they keep programs running and create opportunities for others to invest in the work. For future interns, my advice is to approach every assignment with purpose. You may not always see the impact immediately, but the behind-the-scenes work is often what makes the mission possible.

Charlotte working after hours at a teammate’s home. She met a fellow redhead who took to her right away!

Whether through donating, volunteering, starting your own fundraiser, or simply sharing the mission with someone else, everyone has the ability to play a role in creating opportunity. If you’d like to learn more or support Access to Success, consider giving through the FaithFuel campaign (https://a2sfoundation.org/give/faithfuel/), creating your own fundraiser, volunteering with the organization, or following their journey on social media. Sometimes changing a life starts with taking one small step.