Development Records Data & Engagement Intern

EDF internships provide high-quality experiences (including relevant projects and opportunities for networking) that form the foundation for any individual who is serious about pursuing an environmental career.

The Planned Giving Department is responsible for growing EDF’s pipeline of future revenue by raising gifts through donors’ estate and long-term financial plans. Planned Gifts generally consist of bequests in wills and trusts, charitable gift annuities, and beneficiary designations in retirement plans or life insurance policies. The team builds relationships with prospective donors and provides them with information about which gifts would best accomplish their long-term financial and philanthropic goals.

The Catalyst Circle team manages mass-market and one-to-one programs for mid-level EDF donors who annually give $5,000-plus to EDF and represent a growing and significant unrestricted revenue source for EDF. Donors in Catalyst Circle include both individual donors and foundation/institutional/organization/corporate-based donors. Stewardship Officers on the Catalyst Circle team strive to qualify each donor at the Catalyst Circle level and ensure that data and documentation in Salesforce represents donor wishes, any required reporting, proposals, applications and opportunities for revenue increase and relationship engagement and cultivation.

The intern will support the Catalyst Circle team through an assessment of the composition and fundraising opportunity of the institutionally oriented donors within EDF’s Catalyst Circle mid-level donor program and prospect audience—including reviews of donor profiles and giving histories, maintenance and updating of records, and more. This position will also support the Planned Giving team across a range of donor engagement, data, marketing and administrative projects that will provide valuable exposure to formal donor communications, fundraising operations, and database management.

Projects include assisting with donor trend analysis, supporting Loyal Donor Program and Legacy Match Challenge work and helping organize a training resources library. Other tasks would include preparation of estate acknowledgment letters, editing the General Support Report, performing basic database maintenance, and more.

The internship will provide practical development experience, fostering skills that are highly valued by nonprofits and NGOs in any field. The intern will report to one of the two Stewardship Officers on the Catalyst Circle team with additional training and mentoring by the Manager of Donor Relations within the Planned Giving team.

• Conduct analysis on estates, planned giving donors, the new Loyal Donor Program, and institutionally oriented donor portfolio (0-24 month donors).
• Send correspondence, postcards and welcome packages to planned giving donors and estate representatives.
• Research demographics of Loyal Donor group and create a summary report.
• Compile a library of planned giving training resources.
• Support outreach and stewardship of institutionally oriented donor portfolio, including thank you notes, confirming points of contact, communication preferences, etc.
• Make recommendations on strategies for donors based on analysis.
• Update records in Salesforce.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

• Enrolled in or a recent graduate of an undergraduate degree program.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, nonprofit development, planned giving, data entry, and/or related fields.
• Must be extremely well organized, a quick learner, motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; demonstrated expertise in Excel.
• Knowledge or familiarity with Salesforce or a similar CRM a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team setting and can work independently when projects are due.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.

Hybrid out of an EDF office in New York, NY or Boston, MA preferred, with option to be U.S. Remote. Supervisor is located in MA, and other team members are in NY, CA, MA, and MN.

Summer 2026

Full-time (35 hr/week)

This internship would involve compensation for work paid at a rate competitive with leading nonprofits at $18/hr.

Interested applicants should attach their cover letter and resume to the EDF application.

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