Development (Fundraising) Intern
Position Overview:
The Development Intern will support the Deputy Director with aspects of fundraising to support the work of Midcoast Conservancy. This is an excellent opportunity for young workers seeking professional experience in the nonprofit field; anyone looking to add grant-writing to their professional skill-set; or anyone seeking to contribute their skilled time to the organization in a meaningful way.
Responsibilities:
- Grant writing: For small grant applications (~$5-15K), draft applications for funding, often based off of answers to similar previous applications. Once you become proficient, you can begin to write applications from scratch based on your own research. You will receive thorough training to support your grant-writing success. All prior interns in this position have successfully secured funding for the organization.
- Grant research: Conduct research on prospective foundation, corporate, and individual donors.
- Other writing: Write researched funding case statements on topics relevant to the organization’s work (climate change, land protection, aquaculture, community health, etc.).
- Etc: Other duties as assigned by the Development Director.
Qualifications:
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills. You must be a really strong, fast writer. Ability to present information concisely, compellingly, and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work, and work independently with little supervision. Keen attention to detail and deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs and Google Sheets. Training will be given to work in research databases as necessary.
- Excellent interpersonal skills. A sense of humor with an ability to encourage fun and laughter in a collaborative team environment, your ego checked at the door.
- You should have passion and knowledge related to at least some of the following: the Midcoast Maine region, environmentalism, land conservation, water protection, social justice.
- Current college students and recent graduates seeking experience in the nonprofit field, with a focus on fundraising and/or marketing communications; or retired people already holding writing expertise and looking to volunteer meaningfully, are especially encouraged to apply.
- People of color, indigenous people, LGBTQ candidates, undocumented residents, and other people of oppressed groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace.
Learning Outcomes:
- Strengthened professional writing and editing ability. Applicable not only in fundraising but also in journalistic, legal, communications, science writing, and many other contexts.
- Honed opportunity research skills.
- Philanthropic funding economics' theory and implementation.
- Hands-on understanding of the conservation movement's current opportunities and challenges.
Time commitment: Minimum requirement of 10 hours per week. You can choose to work up to full time (40 hrs/wk). Flexible, largely self-determined hours/schedule. Minimum commitment of 3 months.
Wage: This is an unpaid internship.
Number of positions: Depending on the quality of applications we receive, we may offer up to three Development internships concurrently.
Location: Currently 100% remote. Can remain remote or, pandemic depending, have the possibility of working from Midcoast Conservancy’s Edgecomb, ME office. You would have to provide housing.