Research and Individual Giving Internship (External Relations)
1 Position
Organization
WITNESS uses video to open the eyes of the world to human rights violations. WITNESS empowers people to transform personal stories of abuse into powerful tools for justice, promoting public engagement and policy change. Founded nearly 20 years ago by musician and activist, Peter Gabriel, WITNESS partners with NGOs, community groups, and grassroots organizations around the globe.
Description:
The External Relations Department secures financial support for WITNESS from a major gifts program, foundations and corporate donors, an annual fund campaign that targets individuals, and a program of events including breakfasts, dinners and an annual fundraising gala. This is a unique opportunity for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and intelligent individual to hone their research skills while building hands-on development/fundraising experience.
Tasks will include:
• Conducting research on individual donors and prospects;
• Creating and updating detailed and concise prospect and donor profiles, financial snapshots and event briefings for presentation to the Individual Giving Team;
• Researching and generating a solid list of major giving prospects;
• Proactively identifying new tools and techniques for prospect research;
• Assisting with database entry;
• Assisting with the planning and execution of stewardship and cultivation events and supporting the External Relations staff as needed.
The Research and Individual Giving Intern will play a key role in helping to build WITNESS’ network and pipeline of supporters. This position will require the ability to think strategically about WITNESS’ appeal to donors and known philanthropists, new populations and networks for WITNESS to target with specific projects, and a comprehensive approach to finding connections amongst varying constituencies linked to WITNESS.
Qualifications:
Potential interns should be undergraduate or graduate students. We look for an academic focus in Nonprofit Development and Management, English, Communications, Human Rights, International Relations, Political Science and interdisciplinary studies. Candidates should have:
• Excellent research skills;
• Strong written communication skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently as well as to multitask effectively;
• Previous development/fundraising experience preferred;
• Familiarity with prospect research and identification desirable;
• Knowledge of MS Office applications a must; experience with web-based database systems and web design a plus
General Information
We require a minimum of two months commitment, for 16-20 hours a week. Fellowships are unpaid. Our offices are located in Brooklyn, NY, convenient to the Atlantic Terminal (2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, Q, N and R trains) and C (Lafayette) and G (Fulton) trains.
Application Instructions:
No phone inquiries please. We strongly prefer applications by email to internship@witness.org including a resume and cover letter with “Individual Giving” in the Subject.