Nonprofit Operations Intern

Nonprofit Operations & Program Intern - 2026-2027

Reports to:  Executive Director

Term:  Between 3 to 10 months terms of approximately 10 hrs per week

Location:  Hybrid remote and weekly in-person on an agreed schedule; co-working space available

Start Date:  Flexible start date in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 

Compensation: Compensation to be discussed including work study 

Balafon West African Dance Ensemble is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit celebrating the joy and cultural legacy of West African dance. This internship offers students the opportunity to make a direct impact on Balafon's growth, working alongside the Executive Director and engaging regularly with Board Members.

The role will be shaped around the best fit for organizational growth and skill building, drawing on the project areas below. The full scope of this internship may combine elements across these areas of operations:

CURRENT NEEDS

Communications & Social Media

Elevate Balafon's online presence and storytelling across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

•     Build and maintain a monthly content calendar across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

•     Shoot, edit, and schedule 4–6 short-form videos or reels per month

•     Draft periodic email newsletter issues and website content updates.

•     Document communications plans and practices for organizational continuity

•     Review and report analytics (reach, engagement, follower growth) and recommendations monthly

Fundraising & Development

Drive community-based support through a public fundraising campaign and improve grant management.

•     Help plan and run a public fundraising campaign (messaging, timeline, outreach, tracking and stewardship)

•     Support grant management: track deadlines, assist with reporting requirements, and assemble materials

•     Research and build a prospect list of 15–20 relevant grants and sponsors

•     Maintain and clean up donor/contact records

•     Prepare a brief fundraising or grant-status update for the Board of Directors as needed

Program & Administrative Operations

Strengthen the operational backbone that keeps programs and events running smoothly.

•     Own the event logistics checklist for at least one upcoming program offering

•     Coordinate scheduling with 2–3 partner organizations or presenters

•     Engage with artists on programming needs including rehearsal schedules and communications

•     Opportunities to provide hands-on support for community programming at KST's Alloy Studios

Market Research & Partner Relations

Strengthen strategic decision-making and expand Balafon's network of community and institutional partnerships.

•     Design and administer a short audience survey (approx. 50 respondents)

•     Deliver a one-page competitive scan of 3 peer arts organizations

•     Build a partner and stakeholder contact database, and map potential community or institutional partners

•     Draft outreach emails to prospective community partners

•     Write a one-page advocacy brief supporting a current community initiative

Qualifications

•    Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills; comfort with independent, remote work

•    Research, analytical, and basic database management skills

•    Interest in or experience with performing arts, music, dance, or movement

•    Openness to learning about and helping promote West African culture and history

•    Comfort engaging with issues of social equity, inclusion, and belonging across diverse backgrounds

•   Enthusiasm for engaging directly with Balafon's artist community, choreographers and musicians

•   Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive) proficiency; database and design tools (Airtable, Canva, Adobe) a plus

Apply

Email a brief note of interest and resume to Linsey McDaniel, Executive Director, at linsey@balafon.org, with "Internship" in the subject line or complete interest survey below. Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

 

Internship Interest Form

Tell us which project areas interest you: https://airtable.com/appohBaLbrMgWe8GY/pagT7OuuO0MEcgEgo/form

Connect on LinkedIn

Linsey McDaniel, Executive Director
https://www.linkedin.com/in/linseymcdaniel

linsey@balafon.org | 412-267-7734

About Balafon West African Dance Ensemble

Balafon's mission is to create opportunities to experience the joy and spirit of traditional West African dance, centering on the cultural contributions of women. Founded by master dancer and director ‘Mama’ Kadiatou Conte in the 1990s, Balafon established its Pennsylvania-based nonprofit in 2010 to carry on a rich cultural legacy grounded in five core values: Community, Creative Spirit, Excellence, Freedom & Well-Being, and Heritage.