Development & Fundraising Intern

EARTHDANCE is a workshop, residency, and retreat center located in the Berkshire Hills of Western 

Massachusetts.  We provide a dynamic mix of dance, somatic, and interdisciplinary arts training, with 

a focus on sustainable living, social justice, and community.  Earthdance has been spearheading 

innovative arts programming, and maintaining a beautiful facility for rental groups in the Pioneer Valley 

for over two decades.  Our diverse, year-round programs include: dance workshops; yoga retreats; 

interdisciplinary, ecological and somatic art festivals & residencies; Contact Improvisation jams; local 

class series; a year-round Artist Residency program; and our New Performance Series. Our facilities 

include two large and sunny studios with maple floors, meeting space, meditation and massage rooms, 

guest and staff housing facilities, and a streams, and trails. 

 

The Development & Fundraising Intern works under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, 

and works closely with the Associate Director, Marketing Assistant and Office Manager.  This position 

supports all of Earthdance’s fundraising efforts, with a special focus on researching, planning and 

prospecting for direct funding appeals and individual donations.  S/he is critical to supporting and 

organizing Earthdance’s individual donor cultivation, campaigns and stewardship.  S/he will also support 

the development functions, including the annual Earthdance Gala and other events, as well as writing 

appeal letters, grant applications and reports, and online fundraising campaigns. 

 

This position requires strong written and verbal communication skills, confidence building and 

maintaining donor relationships, above-average organizational skills, and comfort with Microsoft 

Office suite, donor management tools, and familiarity with web-content management software.  Ideal 

candidates will possess a strong attention to detail, strong individual motivation and direction, and be 

interested in developing a solid foundation for our Development & Fundraising department.  

 

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

? Manage gift acknowledgement, donor database, and reporting on donations; 

? Manage and track development budget with support from the Executive and Associate 

Directors; 

? Research and prepare background for individual asks and grant applications; 

? Provide communications and reporting on existing grants and campaigns; 

? Support special events and fundraising activities; 

? Draft and proofread professional correspondence; 

? Develop and disseminate fundraising materials and donor appeals; 

? Support the Earthdance Gala, and other individual donor campaigns; 

? Manage web content related to development and coordinator with online fundraising and 

marketing; and, 

? Perform other administrative and support duties, as assigned. 

 

Preferred Skills and Competencies: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 

satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability 

required to perform the major duties of the position:  

? Two years of higher education, or the equivalent;  

? Some experience with development support and office operations (preferably experience in 

nonprofit fundraising or administrative support); 

? Comfort with soliciting individuals for donations face-to-face, on the phone, online, or via email; 

? Demonstrated ability to multi-task; 

? Demonstrated ability to work in teams; 

? Comfort and familiarity with event planning; 

? Research, writing, editing and proof-reading skills as evidenced by past work product; and, 

? Demonstrated commitment to public-service, non-profit, or cause-oriented work. 

 

Compensation: 

? For 30 hours of work/week, this position receives room & board, utilities, community 

development, free jams and significant discounts on Earthdance produced workshops. The 

estimated total compensation for this position is equivalent to $11,478 for the 9 month duration.  

The position does not receive a monetary stipend. 

? Overtime may be taken off for hours worked beyond the 30 hour/week requirement. 

? Flextime, or the opportunity to work an average weekly rate of 30 hour/week, may be arranged 

between the Executive Director and the intern, to provide flexibility in his/her work schedule. 

? Health insurance is offered to residents of Massachusetts through MassHealth. 

? Opportunities to earn supplemental financial income at Earthdance for all staff and volunteers 

occurs on a regular and ongoing basis.  

 

Commitment: 

This 9 month position will begin in September 2012 and end in May 2013. 

To Apply: 

Please submit the following: 

? Your cover letter 

? Your professional resumé 

? Any additional supporting materials 

 

Women, people of color, LGBT/queer people, and/or people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  

 

Materials should be mailed and/or emailed to: 

Earthdance 

Attn: Krista DeNio & Jessica Lotak 

252 Prospect Street 

Plainfield, MA 01070 

 

Krista DeNio - krista@earthdance.net 

Jessica Lotak - jess@earthdance.net