Development & Special Events Intern

Development & Special Events Intern — Part-Time

Position Summary

Are you organized, curious, creative, and someone who enjoys making things happen behind the scenes? Do you like the idea of helping bring exciting events, donor experiences, and community initiatives to life?

The Discovery Museum is seeking a part-time Development & Special Events Intern to support fundraising, donor engagement, communications, special events, and development operations. This position reports to the Director of Development and offers a hands-on opportunity for a student to gain real-world experience in nonprofit development and fundraising.

This is a varied, hands-on role. One day you may be entering gifts into a donor database, preparing a mailing, or working on monthly giving data. Another day you may be helping coordinate catering, flowers, rentals, or other details for an upcoming event. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how the many moving pieces behind a nonprofit come together to support its mission.

What You’ll Do

Data Entry & Donor Records

• Accurately enter and maintain gift information in Altru.
• Assist with updating donor records, cleaning data, and merging duplicate records.
• Print and prepare gift-related documentation and reports.
• Help maintain accurate and organized donor information.
• Enter and maintain monthly giving data for the I Love Science Society and other recurring giving initiatives.
• Handle donor information with professionalism and confidentiality.

Special Events

• Assist with planning and coordinating fundraising and donor events.
• Obtain estimates, menus, availability, and other information from caterers, rental companies, florists, and other vendors.
• Help coordinate catering, floral arrangements, beverages, ice, rentals, and other event-day needs.
• Communicate with vendors and help confirm event logistics.
• Assist with event setup and breakdown.
• Jump in where needed to help ensure events run smoothly and guests have a great experience.

Mailings & Donor Communications

• Assist with correspondence, direct mail, fundraising appeals, event invitations, and other donor communications.
• Prepare, organize, and distribute mailing materials.
• Support donor engagement, stewardship, and fundraising initiatives.
• Assist with communications and special projects that help connect supporters with the Discovery Museum.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support for fundraising and development activities.
• Assist with special projects and initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Enthusiasm for and interest in the Discovery Museum’s mission to inspire curiosity, learning, and discovery.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and be a committed self-starter.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Professional and courteous communication with donors, vendors, colleagues, and the public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when working with donor and organizational information.
• Willingness to learn new software, databases, and processes.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of special events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with data entry, databases, or administrative work.
• Experience with event planning, event support, or coordinating logistics.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
• Experience with customer service, communications, marketing, or nonprofit work.
• Experience with Altru or another donor database is a plus, but not required.

What You’ll Gain

This internship is designed to give you practical, real-world experience in nonprofit development and fundraising. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about:

• Fundraising and nonprofit development
• Donor relations and stewardship
• Donor database management
• Monthly giving programs
• Direct mail and fundraising communications
• Event planning and logistics
• Vendor coordination
• Professional communication
• Project management and organization

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to support a nonprofit organization and create experiences that inspire curiosity, learning, and discovery.

Who Will Thrive in This Internship?

This opportunity is a great fit for a student who is:

• A natural organizer who likes keeping things on track.
• Detail-oriented and takes pride in getting things right.
• Comfortable reaching out to people by phone or email.
• Curious and eager to learn.
• A problem-solver who can adapt when plans change.
• Comfortable working independently but enjoys being part of a team.

Excited to gain hands-on experience while contributing to the Discovery Museum’s mission.

If you’re ready to learn, pitch in, and see how fundraising and special events come together behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you.