Encourage and support The Board Interns 2026-7

The organisations, services and systems that we engage with each and every day are predominantly run by boards or their equivalents. 

In Christian organisations, boards can be one of the most important vehicles for God to fulfil his purposes, and board members, when they understand and embrace their position of influence with reverence, can do amazing kingdom-building work.

When we equip future board members with the wisdom, tools and experience they need in the boardroom, we are positioning a generation of leaders to guide their organisations to fulfil God's purposes here on earth. 

The Board Internship (TBI) places Christian leaders, between 22 and 35 years of age, in a year-long program that gives them hands-on experience on a board, mentorship, training and networking. Interns not only gain knowledge about ministry governance, but experience it in the real world of a well-functioning Christian boardroom. 

Distinct from other governance training, TBI grounds interns in governance through a faith lens, so they are trained to seek God and his wisdom in everything from strategy to finance to risk management. 

TBI is a joint project of Korus Connect (www.korusconnect.org.au) and CMA (www.cma.net.au) – charities who share a passion for helping Christian organisations become as effective as they can be.

Meet Mel Burke, 2026-27 Board Intern

I am a policy adviser and I have advised senior Australian Government leaders on major health, disability and aged care reforms. I believe effective administration can transform lives and I am motivated by social justice, integrity and the wellbeing of all.

I joined the Board Internship because I want to understand better what makes up a well-governed, well-led, and well-managed organisation. I hope this experience will help me become a more thoughtful and faithful leader, who stewards the resources and responsibilities entrusted to me for the good of others.

How is TBI funded?

As part of the internship, I’m also learning about the role fundraising plays in helping not‑for‑profits carry out their mission. Interns are not charged a fee to participate, which is why I am participating in a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign.

This campaign gives me the chance to grow in confidence and is part of my skills development as an intern, teaching me the power of generosity and the importance of asking. I have a goal to raise at least $1000 towards the costs of my internship.

TBI meets intern travel and conference costs, and host organisations (their host boards) pay a fee to contribute towards these program costs, but there is still a gap between expenses and income. 

In addition, CMA and Korus Connect seek to raise a matching amount ($1000 per intern), to provide the funds needed for things beyond the core participation costs, like staffing, administration, and expanding the initiative.

Will you invest in the future of ministry boards?

I invite you to consider partnering with me in reaching my campaign goal, or by making a donation to the general program of The Board Internship. 

By using the donation box on this page, you can select an amount - either one-off or recurring - and use the drop-down box to designate an individual intern, or the general program. Your tax-deductible gift, either in support of an individual intern, or as a general gift, is building the future of Christian boards, and for that, we say thank you!

Find out more on the Board Internship website.