Development Intern

The Nature Conservancy • Charlottesville, VA

3d • $18 • Hybrid

About The Position

Join TNC Virginia as a STEP Intern! The goal of STEP is to create pathways for people seeking to gain experience with a conservation focused organization. We currently offer paid internships in a range of disciplines across our Virginia Team. With a focus on recruiting and developing a diverse staff, we strive to create an environment where people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities feel welcomed to participate in conservation. Wherever you are in your educational journey; community college, technical school, four-year program, or graduate school, STEP may have an opportunity for you to consider! All STEP interns will receive an orientation, professional development webinars, and chances to visit TNC sites. Along the way, interns will have the opportunity to broaden their experiences through interactions with Nature Conservancy staff and partners. At the end of their internship, STEP interns will give a short presentation about their time at TNC to the Virginia staff. This position will be open for at least two-weeks from the posting date. Please submit a resume and cover letter. Application materials will be reviewed as they are submitted. Zoom interviews will occur in mid-May with final hiring decisions made by May 29. Schedule: 300 hours total, intended to be worked on a part-time basis and split between two semesters. Specific schedules will be determined upon hiring. Pay: $18.25/hour Location: Hybrid schedule, 80% remote, 20% in-person in Charlottesville, VA (either office time, or through scheduled visits) The Position: TNC is looking for an intern who is interested in learning about fundraising and donor research and outreach that support TNC’s conservation goals. This intern will work alongside our Development Operations Manager and entire Development Team to conduct research on prospective and current donors, support the writing of strategic external facing documents, and assist with planning events for donors. The intern should demonstrate an interest in nonprofit organizations and have project management abilities, proficiency with technology, attention to detail, and flexibility in handling multiple projects, as well as the ability to handle and protect confidential donor information. This position is scheduled to be an eight-month term (from August 2026 – April 2027) with the intern working on a part-time schedule. Candidates must be actively enrolled students. Preference is for candidates currently located in the Charlottesville area. STEP is designed for people early in their careers, or with limited prior professional experience.

Requirements

• A student who will be actively enrolled at a 2- or 4-year institution for the 2026-2027 school year
• Experience, coursework, or interest in exploring the non-profit or conservation field
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience writing and editing
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Nice To Haves

• Experience with data management
• Experience using Canva or other design software
• A student located in the Charlottesville area

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with Virginia’s Development, Marketing, and Conservation Teams to gain an understanding of the mission and needs of the organization
• Receive training in our donor management tool – Blackbaud
• Conduct research on prospective and current donors, creating briefings and updating donor profiles in the database as needed
• Handle sensitive and confidential donor information
• Support the Development team in drafting written updates on critical conservation goals
• Assisting in the planning and execution of events

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.
• We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees