Position Description
The development communications intern plays a vital role in promoting Cornell Botanic Gardens’ development and fundraising programs. The intern works closely with professional development, communications, interpretation, and education staff to plan and implement projects to advance fundraising objectives.
The intern also works independently to execute numerous critical tasks. The intern will gain skills and expertise in the broad areas of:
- Building campaigns for membership and annual fund solicitations
- Multi-channel marketing
- Proposal writing
- Crowd-funding
- Content strategy and execution
- Event promotion
Critical tasks include:
- Information gathering/research
- Preparing campaign briefs
- Developing proposals for project funding to individual donors and foundations
- Copy writing, layout and production of materials for direct mail, email and web
- Assessing campaign success and preparing reports
- Develop mid- and longer-term campaign and development action calendar
- Promoting and staffing development events
- Other projects, as assigned
The intern will end the summer with one or more portfolio items to support individual career objectives.
Requirements
- Able to work independently to complete tasks and projects
- Possess solid writing skills
- Willing to learn new skills and approaches
- Comfortable in reaching out to partner and campus organizations, via e-mail, phone, and in-person
- Able to commit to the full summer-long internship period
- Able to work full-time, 8 hours/day for 5 days/week
- Currently enrolled or accepted Cornell University student
Preferred skills:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Database experience with PeopleSoft or Engaging Networks
- Project coordination background
Work Environment
Primarily office based work in the Ramin Administrative Building of Cornell Botanic Gardens. Each Monday interns will participate in Learning Mondays, a series of workshops that may include field trips or educational activities about the diverse work of a public garden. All interns will do weekly documentation of learning and skill development, Capturing Your Experience. This portfolio or field record will be shared with all staff on the last official day of the internship, Farewell Friday.
This is a full-time, 39-hour per week, 12 week internship. Typical schedule is M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Might be asked to work the Saturday of Reunion Weekend.
Private: Apply Now
Submit your application online.
Program Elements
Internships include “Learning Mondays,” group work days, and are required to capture their summer experience to share on the last day.
Private: Summer Internship
Our summer internship program provides an educational and work experience involving hands-on training that builds on classroom learning.