Development & Communications Fall Intern

Horton’s Kids is a community-based organization working to drive positive change in the lives of over 600 children and families living in the most under-resourced communities in Southeast Washington, DC – Wellington Park and Stanton Oaks. These communities are home to children and families with big dreams and the potential needed to achieve them. However, decades of disinvestment and systemic racism have created unfair barriers to access for these families. Horton’s Kids works to remove these barriers and even the playing field by providing comprehensive academic, social-emotional, health and wellness, and family engagement supports. 

Our impact is dramatic: children enrolled in Horton’s Kids are twice as likely to graduate from high school. Click here to learn more about our work. 

Development and Communications Intern Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented student with strong communication and writing skills. This position is a great fit for students who are interested in a nonprofit career and want to learn more about how nonprofits raise funds and communicate with their supporters or for Communications, Business, Marketing, or English majors. Interns will work directly with our development (fundraising) team and have access to a variety of projects to raise funds that will directly impact the lives of children and families in Southeast DC.  

Eligible candidates must be vaccinated and will be asked to provide a copy of their vaccination card. 

Responsibilities depend on experience, skills, interest, and schedule, but may include: 

Development Administration Support & Events (40%)  

• Assist with preparations for Horton’s Kid's annual fall fundraising gala Give Thanks & Give Back, including logistics, tracking donations, creating collateral, and other duties 
• Staff the Give Thanks & Give Back Gala on November 16, 2022 
• Inventory in-kind donations 
• Assist with gift entry using Raiser’s Edge, Horton’s Kids’ donor database 
• Prepare and send donor acknowledgment letters 
• Conduct prospect research on corporate donors in preparation for stewardship meetings 
• Additional administrative support as needed for development operations 

Communications (60%)  

• Assist in planning and writing e-blasts, direct mail appeals, acknowledgment letters, cultivation newsletters, and more 
• Update organization website using WordPress with current events, relevant news, etc. 
• Provide drafting and design support for fliers, graphics, and other marketing materials 
• Work with the Director of Communications and Events on the production of public relations collateral and press releases 
• Plan, design, and post social media content across HK’s channels 
• Collaborate with staff on new ideas, directions, and tools for marketing and communications 
• Other duties as assigned 

Essential Experience and Competencies: 

• Excellent writing and editing skills 
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences 
• Ability to work independently and think creatively 
• Ability to manage competing priorities 
• Familiarity with social media best practices 
• Willingness to take direction from multiple individuals 
• Experience with a donor database or an interest in gaining experience with one 
• Excellent customer service skills 
• Strong Attention to detail 
• Strong organizational skills 
• Enthusiasm for our mission 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite 

Salary: hourly rate of $15 

This is a part-time fall internship (approx. 20 hours a week, with flexibility). Horton’s Kids’ staff works in a metro-accessible office located near the L’Enfant Plaza Metro. Interns will be asked to work at least two full days in the Horton’s Kids office per week during normal business hours (10:00-6:00 pm).  

Any offers made to candidates will be contingent upon undergoing standard screening requirements including an FBI background check, Child Protection Register check, and TB test. Must be 18 or older to apply. Horton’s Kids, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.