Fall 2023 Development Internship
Immigration Equality is the nation’s leading LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrant rights organization. Through direct legal services, policy advocacy, and impact litigation, we advocate for immigrants and families facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.
Founded in 1994, Immigration Equality has a dual focus of direct representation and policy work. We take calls every day from clients who need help right now and we work to change the systems that have lasting impact on how LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants get treated. We work with LGBTQ and HIV-positive asylum seekers and detainees, answering more than 7,000 hotline calls and representing more than 800 individual cases each year.
In 2023 and beyond we are expanding our asylum work. In nearly 70 countries, it is a crime to be LGBTQ. Being out or being outed is truly life-threatening. That’s why we work to train, represent, and hold accountable the government officials who make life or death decisions for LGBTQ people seeking safety in the U.S. We are proud to do life-saving work, and with much success to be proud of, we have more energy than ever to fight the policies that hurt scores of our families.
About the Position
Immigration Equality is seeking an intern to assist the Development Department, a three-person team. The intern will commit to 5-15 hours per week for 2-3 months (start and end dates and hours are negotiable). While Immigration Equality has an office in a co-working space in Brooklyn, the majority of the staff work fully remote and this role would be expected to be remote as well (with the exception of any in-person events and potential to meet members of the team in person if local). Our office hours are Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., though some work outside these hours may be possible if desired.
This is a paid internship ($15/hour). Candidates must be recent graduates or be enrolled at a higher education institution to qualify for this internship.
Responsibilities are based on the needs of IE at the time and may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Plan and execute digital fundraising campaigns, such as Facebook birthday fundraisers, peer-to-peer campaigns, membership campaigns. and others
- Conduct prospect research on individual, foundation, and corporate donors
- Assist with direct mail campaigns
- Help supporting our major fall fundraiser SHINE (raffle item outreach and/or organization, volunteer and/or check-in management, along with ad hoc support for the Events Manager.)
- Assist with maintenance of and special products for our client and donor database (Salesforce) to help us keep an up-to-date and accurate database
- Additional research and administrative tasks to support the larger Development team
Development intern will gain:
- An overview of non-profit fundraising, donor communications, digital fundraising tools, and event planning
- Understanding and proficiency in development systems that made modern-day fundraising possible, such as Salesforce (our client and donor database)
- Experience in a small, but fast-paced non-profit organization
- An introduction to the field of LGBTQ and HIV asylum law
- The potential to create your own projects and focus on specific areas within nonprofit fundraising
Qualifications
- Show a commitment to winning social justice for LGBTQ, HIV-positive, and immigrant families. Former clients of Immigration Equality are encouraged to apply
- Self-motivated and have the ability to work remotely with minimal supervision
- Possess a high level of organizational skills and be detail oriented
- Be responsible, flexible, hard-working, ethical, and committed to the mission of Immigration Equality
- Possess strong communication, organization, and computer skills
- Be able to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Show a willingness to perform administrative tasks with enthusiasm and high attention to detail
- Be able to understand the importance of client confidentiality
- Possess an interest in a career in the nonprofit sector – particularly in event planning, development and fundraising
Environment
Immigration Equality is a mission-driven organization full of smart, dedicated people. If you want to work at the cutting edge of the two most potent issues of our time and do it with terrific colleagues in a fast-paced, nimble organization that seeks results, this is the place for you.
Immigration Equality is an equal opportunity employer: immigrants, transgender people, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Immigration Equality is a progressive organization. Applicants are expected to collaborate within a diverse and inclusive environment.