Organization:

NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia (a state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America) is dedicated to building and sustaining a constituency that uses the political process to guarantee reproductive freedom for all women, including family planning, sexuality education, maternal health care, and safe, legal abortion. NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia is a grassroots 501(c)(4) organization, with a 501(c)(3) Foundation arm and a Political Action Committee.

Position:

The spring 2011 Development and Communications Intern will work closely with both the Deputy Director of Development and Advocacy and Communication Manager on efforts to communicate with our membership and secure resources needed to pursue our mission of protecting reproductive choice in Virginia. The position will also be responsible for working in all aspects of internal and external communications.

The intern will gain skills and experience necessary for working in development or communications for a non-profit organization. This internship is also agreat opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of pro-choice messaging, advocacy, and activism. The intern will be partially responsible for communicating with NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia's members and activists through our website, blog, and social media platforms. In addition to development and communications tasks, the intern will have opportunities to contribute to NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia's program work to support pro-choice education, awareness and policy across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The ideal candidate for this internship is a current student or recent graduate with dedication to pro-choice values and a basic knowledge of reproductive justice issues, political savvy and knowledge, interest in learning about the workings of a non-profit advocacy organization, strong written and oral communication skills and attention to detail.

Duties:

Development

• Assist with management of major donor campaign and maintaining donor relationships.
• Work with the deputy director of development to identify and research donor and foundation prospects.
• Participate in the creation and execution of direct mail program, online fundraising and other membership development efforts.

Social Media

• Write and update content on website, blog and social media platforms to keep membership informed on current work and encourage contributions.
• Brainstorm new ideas to expand social media activities and effectiveness and keep track of social media goals and progress.

Events

• Assist in the planning and execution of house parties,happy hours and other special events to engage members and raise funds.

Communications

• Monitor statewide media on a daily basis for relevant news stories; maintain media tracking sheet.
• Help respond to or publicize breaking news through social media.
• Draft sample letters to the editor for activists or for personal submission.
• Draft Op-Ed pieces for activists or for personal submission.

Administration/Other

• Assist with processing gifts and thanking donors.
• Various office administrative activities as necessary, such as filing, donor database management and other organizational tasks.

Qualifications:

• Strong writer, researcher and editor familiar with Microsoft Office and social media applications
• Ability to work well independently and in cooperative decision-making settings
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a professional demeanor
• Understanding of online communications and social media strategy
• Attention to detail, organizational/multi-tasking skills, and an ability to meet deadlines
• Activist, political, and/or non-profit experience. Previous experience with non-profit or political fundraising is a plus.
• Support for the full range of reproductive options for women, including affordable birth control, bearing healthy children, adoption and safe, legal abortion

This ideal candidate will be available a minimum of 20 hours per week for all or most of the spring 2012 semester. The position is unpaid, but provides a transportation stipend and the option of receiving academic credit with the intern's host institution. The majority of internship activities will take place at our office in Alexandria, VA, but telecommuting options are also available.

For more information or to apply, please send résumé and cover letter. Please address your qualifications and your commitment to reproductive justice in your cover letter. Applications considered on a rolling basis.