2023 Summer Arts Management – Donor Stewardship Internship

Arts Managment – Donor Stewardship Intern

Who We Are

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal opportunity employer with a staff of 70. Penland operates with a $54 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $7.7 million. We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC.  Our mission supports making lives meaningful through making.

 

Commitment to Equity,  Diversity, and Inclusion

Penland welcomes everyone. Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.

 

We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to fulfilling our mission. We want to inspire and nurture the human spirit, and we value the perspectives and contributions of all people. We want the Penland experience to include varied ideas, world views, and personal characteristics. Penland is committed to being a community that welcomes and respects everyone regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, philosophical or political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, and socioeconomic status. We are committed to providing an environment free of discrimination. 

Position Summary 

A Penland internship offers a unique opportunity to live and work in a dynamic, creative educational community and work with accomplished professionals in a mutual learning and knowledge-sharing environment. The Arts Management/Donor Stewardship Intern is an important member of Penland’s development team and works closely with professional staff to gain practical work experience in fundraising and stewardship strategies that support the school’s mission and programs. You will learn about each staff role and gain valuable knowledge and experience in donor cultivation and stewardship, events, data management, and use of the Raiser’s Edge donor database, a widely used software in non-profits. You will report to the Development Associate for Scholarships and Student Recruitment. 

 

Training begins on May 22. The internship will conclude September 1, 2023 (Start and end dates have some flexibility). 

 

You will receive $200 per week (up to $3000 for the experience), and housing and meals will be provided at no charge to you for the duration of the internship period. If the dining hall is closed, we will not offer food, but there are kitchen facilities in the housing units. Class and studio access are not provided. Penland will work with individuals seeking educational credit for the internship and meet any college or university requirements. Details can be discussed in the interview process. 

Responsibilities 

  • Facilitate the summer scholarship recognition program, i.e., assist with student orientations, collect and manage student thank-you letters/evaluations, conduct student interviews, and prepare donor thank-you packages  
  • Assist with planning, set-up, and/or management of special events such as Director Luncheons, Scholarship Auctions, the Annual Benefit Auction, and other donor stewardship events
  • Assist with maintenance of the donor database (Raiser’s Edge), i.e., updating records 
  • Provide writing and/or editing support for donor correspondence
  • Attend relevant departmental and board committee meetings
  • Conduct prospect research
  • Conduct clerical and administrative duties such as data entry, filing, copying, etc. 
  • Weekend and evening hours are required

Qualifications 

  • Demonstrated interest in the arts/arts management
  • Highly self-motivated, task-oriented and goal-oriented
  • Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel; strong command of mail merging is a plus
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and positive professional behavior
  • Excellent customer service skills; be comfortable making phone calls and in-person communications with patrons, supporters, instructors, and students
  • Ability to work within deadlines, under pressure, and with a positive attitude at all times
  • Possess excellent time management skills; attention to detail and accuracy is critical
  • Knowledge of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge fundraising software a plus (please indicate any experience with this software in your application)
  • Experience with development office work is preferred but not required
  • The ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule is required
  • Must have current COVID vaccination and boosters or a Penland-approved exemption

Physical Demands 

This position requires you to walk unaided up and down hills and over uneven terrain, bend, stoop, reach above your head, use fine and gross motor skills, and work on campus. You must have normal visual acuity at a near and far distance with correction and hear the spoken word. You must be fluent in English. While performing this job’s duties, you will be regularly required to sit and work at a computer. You will frequently be required to use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. You may occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects weighing up to 75 pounds. 

To Apply  

The internship will remain open until filled; however, the initial review of applications will consist of applications received by February 1, 2023. Send a cover letter and resume addressing relevant experience and interest in the internship, personal contact information, and email contact information for at least three references to employment@penland.org.  Please put 2023 Donor Stewardship Internship in the subject of the email.  

We look forward to hearing from you!