Fund Development & Communications Intern

Organization: 

Avenue CDC

Site Supervisor: Darla Berry

Organization Address: 

3517 Irvington Blvd., Houston, TX. 77009

Organization Description: 

Mission: To invest in people, homes, and communities to advance equity and opportunity for all Houstonians. Vision: All Houstonians have the opportunity to live in quality homes in healthy, vibrant, and inclusive neighborhoods. Commitment: At Avenue, we believe that we are better and stronger when we actively include people with diverse identities. We put these beliefs into action by listening to the needs of our employees, those we serve, and those we partner with, and by implementing strategies to make their experience with us fair and equitable.

Primary Function: 

The Fund Development Intern will support the Fund Development & Communications Team in various activities. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Activities include, but are not limited to Fund Development Resource Development Support: 

  • Spend time learning and using our fundraising software application, Salesforce, to enter new funders approved by the manager from foundation research.

  • Utilize Salesforce to create reports of donors over $500 and use the PublicData website to find their birthdays to add to their Salesforce records. 

  • Research a way to send automated birthday emails via the communications software Campaign Monitor. 

  • Research local businesses that would be a good fit to solicit donations to include in Art on the Avenue sponsor gift bags, and create an Excel spreadsheet to track business names, contacts, possible donations, and date contacted. 

  • Research local wine/beer distributors that donate to non-profit events and create an Excel spreadsheet to log company names and contact information for donations.

• Communications & Storytelling

  • Write blog posts (1 page of text and photos for each) about relevant Avenue events, initiatives, or relevant subjects of your choice.

  • Interview a program staff person of your choice (we will facilitate an introduction) about leadership in the nonprofit industry and write a social media or blog post about Marketing Support.

  • Create weekly social media content (two posts/week) for Avenue’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

  • Research relevant community development, real estate, leadership, diversity, or nonprofit awards for 2021 and create a spreadsheet of opportunities and details.

Preferred qualifications: 

• Currently in an undergraduate/graduate degree program with an interest in marketing, production, public relations, journalism, hospitality or communications, Development/Fundraising, or non-profit management fields or other related fields. 

• Graphic design experience in InDesign, Photoshop, or web-based programs is helpful.

• Strong proficiency in all social media platforms.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Adobe Acrobat, and Google Suite experience a plus; HTML and WordPress experience a plus. 

• Strong persuasive writing skills helpful. 

• Graphic design and Canva experience a plus. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Self-directed and takes initiative and comfortable speaking to all stakeholders (staff, vendors, donors, volunteers, etc.) 

Number of available positions: 1

Hours expected to work each week: 20