Development Internship

 DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIP 2026

Position status: Temporary 

Reports to: Development Director 

Supervision by: Development Associate

Compensation: $16.80 per hour (up to 200 hours total)

Posted: March 2, 2026

Start date: June 8 (negotiable)

End Date: July 24 (negotiable)

Application Deadline: by April 15 or until filled

THE ORGANIZATION

Now in its 56th season, Chamber Music Northwest’s flagship Summer Festival presents over 21 mainstage concerts and 47 Education and Community Engagement events over the course of four weeks in beautiful Portland, Oregon. The musicians invited to perform at Chamber Music Northwest range from rising stars to veterans and are among the most sought-after soloists, chamber musicians, and recording artists in the world.

THE POSITION

Chamber Music Northwest seeks a mature, professional, and motivated Development Intern for its 2026 Summer Festival June 25-July 19. The Development Intern works closely with and under the supervision of the Development Associate and Event Coordinator and the Development Director. The successful candidate will not only learn about the operation of a successful nonprofit organization but will also gain knowledge and practical skills in fundraising strategies, preparing donor appeals, utilizing a donor database to track progress toward goals, and managing events.

Pre-festival:

• Become familiar with the Patron Manager database (a Salesforce product) to assist with record maintenance, entering donor tasks and attendance information, and running lists and reports.
• Assist with building guest lists and scheduling donor meetings with CMNW leadership.
• Assist with scheduling and tracking the delivery of benefits for concert sponsors, including managing RSVPs and ensuring signage is up to date and where it needs to be. 

During the festival:

• Assist with set-up for Reed concerts & pre-concert picnics—sponsor signs, banners, patron picnic area 5-7:30 pm. Dates: June 25 & 29, July 2, 3, 6, 10, 11, 13, 18, and 19. 
• Assist with producing, mailing, and tracking weekly appeal mailings to individual donors
• Assist with tracking gifts and thanking donors for their contributions. 
• Coordinate “Surprise & Delight,” identifying patrons to receive a surprise gift from CMNW, and placing those gifts on their concert seats.
• Assist with preparations for special donor events, including three Chamber Party fundraising events, plus the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Commissioning Club Luncheon, Nautilus Circle Luncheon, the closing Festival Party (July 19), and other events as assigned.

Post festival:

• Help create donor reports
• Assist with organizing donor event inventory
• Assist with the production of post-season donor appeals

CMNW is a small and collaborative team; interns may be assigned tasks to assist other departments, including Marketing, Operations, Production, and Front-of-House, as needed.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The ideal candidate will be personable, poised, professional, and unflappable. The position requires attention to detail, positive energy, and a willingness to pitch in wherever needed. The successful candidate must be comfortable working independently and collaboratively and with different personalities and communication styles. Interns must be open to receiving feedback and guidance throughout the internship. Preference will be given to those candidates with a strong background or interest in the arts or classical music, knowledge of Portland, Oregon, and/or interest in non-profit administration.

EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will have at least two years in a baccalaureate degree program and have demonstrated success in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and working with various people. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite is required. Familiarity with Salesforce (or other CRM database), Google Workspace, and email programs such as Emma or Mailchimp is helpful. Additionally, the position requires the ability to lift and carry at least 40 pounds, a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, and reliable transportation in order to support the logistics of setting up events throughout the city. Ability to use your own mobile phone to be reached during work hours. 

CONDITIONS AND COMPENSATION

The Development Intern is a part-time, seasonal position, approximately 25 hours per week. The position will start in early June and continue through late July. Hours are flexible, and we make every effort to accommodate schedules. Before June 25 work will take place during the day in our downtown office. Concert related work takes place primarily at Reed College, Kaul Auditorium, between 5-7:30 pm. 

Interns may attend concerts free of charge, subject to available seating; attendance at any concert as an attendee is optional and not included in the paid hours unless specifically assigned. The Development Intern will be paid $16.80/hour for up to a total of 200 hours over the course of the internship. College credit may be arranged with the individual’s institution.

Chamber Music Northwest believes that our staff should reflect the diversity of our community. We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage those who identify as Black, Indigenous, persons of color, LGBTQIA+, and differently-abled persons to apply. 

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates should email one .pdf file (no larger than 10 MB) which includes a cover letter, résumé, and three references to development@cmnw.org with the subject line Development Intern by April 15, 2025.

Please, no phone inquiries.