The Chesapeake Bay Trust (the Trust) seeks a Development, Marketing, and Communications Intern to play a critical role in accomplishing Trust’s evolving development, fundraising, and marketing goals.

 About the Trust

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is dedicated to promoting public awareness and participation in the restoration and protection of the natural resources of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay region, established by state government in 1985.  Our work is supported by approximately 30-40 different sources, including corporate and individual donors who fall under the purview of our Development Department; Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay license plate, a new merchandising online store, and several others that fall under the Marketing Department; and government partners that fall under the purview of our Program Departments.

With the funds generated from these various sources, we make approximately 400 grants per year ranging from $100 to $200,000+ for projects in the K-12 environmental education, on-the-ground restoration, science, and community engagement realms.  Our goal is to empower groups on-the-ground to play a role in the restoration and protection of communities and natural resources.  In the past decade, the Trust has increased its grant-making four-fold through new revenue streams, with current annual grant-making of approximately $12-20 million.

Position Responsibilities

As our Development, Marketing, and Communications (DMC) Intern, you will gain hands-on experience with skills critical to development, marketing, and communications within the growing environmental space. Creative tasks in digital content creation and storytelling are joined by hard skillsets such as donor correspondence and data entry, in addition to forward-facing opportunities through educational tabling and special events. The role is ideal for those considering a future career in nonprofit and/or environmental sector fundraising, communications, marketing, or program management.

This is a hybrid remote/onsite internship requiring at least 50% in-person/on-site work (the rest can be remote), some additional travel, and some evening and weekend hours. The Chesapeake Bay Trust office is located in Annapolis, Maryland, with parking offered at no cost. The position reports to the Vice President for Development with associations to Communications and Marketing Officers and Development Assistant.

Responsibilities May Include Some or All of the Following:

  • Digital Content Creation: Write, edit, or contribute to eNewsletters and eBlasts, social media, blog posts, web content, collateral, and other media in service of marketed revenue streams, donor correspondence, restricted partnerships, and general Trust communications.
  • Video & Photography: Secure and organize video and photography from partner and grantee events, projects, and mission-related images for strategic use across Trust communications platforms. While the artistry need not be of professional grade, we’re looking for someone with the ability to document moments that visually capture the story of the Trust. This body of work will be used for social media, email campaigns, website imagery, and annual report, in service of both development and marketing, as well as provide a framework for future and potential grantees.
  • Marketing Support: Help prepare printed and digital marketing materials.
  • Donor Relations and Correspondence: support donor solicitation and engagement mailings, prepare special event invitations, respond to inquiries from donors, and perform donor- and gift-related data entry in the donor database (Raiser’s Edge, training provided).
  • Media: support proactive media outreach and the execution of multiple press events.
  • Community Engagement: Represent the Chesapeake Bay Trust at community events, festivals, networking receptions, and other opportunities.
  • Special Events: support the execution of multiple Chesapeake Bay Trust events.
  • Legislative Engagement: execute correspondence about Chesapeake Bay Trust grantees and activities with legislators in the Maryland General Assembly

Skills and Qualifications

Required

  • Strong literacy in MS Office, Adobe Suite (minimal) and/or Canva. Ideal applicants can execute mail merges, manipulate data and formulas in Excel, and design basic graphics.
  • Strong writing skills, including drafting, editing, and proofreading.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively with deadlines.
  • Ability to travel to the Trust’s Annapolis office and attend some evening/weekend events.

Preferred

  • Advanced skills in one or more of: special event management, donor relations, graphic design, digital content creation, website management, or media relations.
  • Pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree in environmental science, marketing, journalism, communications, or related field. Students majoring in other fields must have demonstrable experience in communications or marketing.
  • Knowledge of or interest in conservation, sustainability, environmental justice, and/or community engagement.

Compensation: $15.00 per hour, 10 hours per week
Term:  2023-2024 Academic Year, September 2023 – May 2024

 How to Apply:

The position will remain open until filled. Please submit a resume and cover letter.  The cover letter must address how your skills and experience are specifically relevant to the job description and duties of this specific opportunity, rather than serving simply as description of your previous positions or experience.  Please explain why you are interested in this position specifically and what makes you a good candidate.

Link to apply: https://cbaytrust.bamboohr.com/careers/34?source=aWQ9MjM%3D

The Chesapeake Bay Trust provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. We encourage applications from people of color.  Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The Trust does not participate in programs that require sponsorship for work visas.