About National Park Trust
National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. We work closely with the National Park Service to acquire privately owned lands to expand and complete our national parks. In addition, our Youth and Family Programs support our belief that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed by, and preserved by all for current and future generations.
Position Overview
National Park Trust seeks a Development Intern to support the efforts of our Development Office, helping to increase the effectiveness of fundraising efforts to preserve and protect our national parks. The intern will gain valuable experience in nonprofit development and learn how development intersects with all areas of nonprofit work, from finance and administration to programmatic initiatives. The internship can range from 3-6 months with an opportunity to continue to 9-12 months, increasing the opportunities to gain more profound knowledge of fundraising and nonprofit work.
This position is in Rockville, MD (parking included) and is Metrorail accessible to the Rockville Station stop on the Red Line. The office operates on a hybrid schedule, with at least one day per week expected in the office, depending on project requirements.
What You’ll Be Doing:
This intern will support the Development department in various fundraising initiatives. This position is ideal for someone looking to gain experience in many areas of development – including digital and direct mail, donor and fundraising events, and donor research and cultivation. Key activities include:
Donor Research (30%)
- Receive hands-on training on platforms to gain knowledge about research tools and the Park Trust’s donor database
- Participate in the assessment of available research tools and templates for donor profiles, prospects lists, and other reports
- Research current and prospective donors
- Prepare comprehensive reports for use by staff and volunteer fundraisers
- Participate in Prospect Review meetings and update Moves Management System in donor database
Corporate/Foundation Grants (20%)
- Research prospects for grant requests for youth programs and land projects
- Proofread grant proposals
- Update donor records
Individual Fundraising (20%)
- Maintain database of Bequest Donors
- Support cultivation outreach to bequest donors
- Update website and email content for Bison Legacy Society
Administrative Support (30%)
- Prepare call lists for Executive Director and Development Director
- Compile donor prospect lists for Development Coordinator to schedule donor visits.
- Assist in producing in-house mailings, packing materials for fundraising events, Youth and Family Program partners, etc., and other administrative duties as assigned.
What We’re Looking For
Required Skills
- Strong organizational and research skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Interest in database management
- Proficiency with Google Suite and Excel
- Ability to work in a team or independently as needed
Preferred Skills
- Experience in database management a plus
Education
Students enrolled in or recently graduated from Liberal Arts, Database Marketing, and Business Management programs are highly encouraged to apply, especially those who are motivated to learn about career opportunities in the nonprofit community.
Special Requirements
Due to work with youth and families:
- All staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID. National Park Trust provides reasonable accommodations for medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs consistent with legal requirements
- The candidate must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check
- Some physical exertion, including light outdoor activities
- Lifting items up to 25-40 lbs
Compensation:
This internship is a part-time 16-24 hours per week unpaid volunteer position; however, National Park Trust offers a stipend to cover living expenses and commuting. Internship stipends issued by the National Park Trust are not considered salary or meant as compensation but are provided to help defray living expenses for an intern during the term of their appointment. The stipend amount will depend on the length of the approved internship.
How to Apply
PLEASE SUBMIT A RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO DOLORES MCDONAGH AT dolores@parktrust.org by February 16th.
In your cover letter, please explain your interests, what you hope to gain from this experience, and what you can contribute during an internship with the Park Trust.
National Park Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment. We seek diversity in thought, background, and experience among our staff, Board of Trustees, donors, and partners. Diversity within our organization informs our programming, strengthens our partnerships, and enables us to serve diverse stakeholders and communities effectively. National Park Trust follows all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discriminatory hiring and employment practices. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
