Development Internship
PEN America seeks a motivated self-starter interested in learning about how development drives and sustains nonprofit organizations. As part of the development team, the intern will provide essential support in securing funding and engaging donor communities for an organization that protects the right to free expression worldwide. This internship will operate in-person from our headquarters in New York City during normal business hours.
The intern will work with: The events team to gain hands-on communications, events, and project management experience, learning from key staff who will provide mentorship throughout the internship’s duration, and the foundation relations and grants team on grant writing, foundation relations, and grant management. The intern will work closely with the director of foundations and grants management and the foundations relations assistant.
This internship is a great opportunity to build effective development strategies and processes for a mission-driven organization that is quickly evolving and responding to the challenges of our time.
This internship will operate from our headquarters in New York City and will be primarily onsite during normal business hours. Paid internships are available through our Centenary Internship program and would require a commitment of 15-20 hours/week over 6 months, and would pay $17/hour for hours worked. Internships are also eligible for college credit.
EVENTS RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Research current and potential donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors
- Work and gain experience with Raiser’s Edge through ensuring donor records are up-to-date
- Assist with data clean up in Raiser’s Edge
- Provide support with development communications materials, including fundraising appeals, acknowledgement letters, and event invitations for Gala, Authors’ Evenings and other special events.
- Generate and update reports to track revenue, new donors, and other metrics
- Assist in behind-the-scenes preparation for both private and public PEN America events
FOUNDATION RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct independent research in grant databases and government publications to identify new foundation and government grant prospects, and suggest points of alignment with PEN America’s programmatic objectives
- Provide support with grant materials, including copyediting, updating, and formatting concept notes, proposals, and reports to foundations
- Assist in setting up external meetings with foundations
- Draft correspondence as needed, and prepare internal briefings for senior leadership
- Ensure grant records are up-to-date in Raiser’s Edge
DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:
- Must be able to provide proof of authorization to intern in the United States
- Exhibit strong attention to detail
- Be able to multitask and shift priorities
- Have excellent writing and research skills
- Have experience with Microsoft Office suite, and Google Suite
- Have a desire to gain exposure to and experience in all areas of nonprofit management and development
- Passionate about art, literature, and human rights
- Committed to PEN America’s mission to protect the right to free expression
TO APPLY:
Please submit a resume, writing sample, and a one-page cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications to tdoolin@pen.org. Include the cycle you’re applying for, and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Fall Development Internship – Jane Doe”).
PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
No phone calls, please.
ABOUT PEN AMERICA:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.