Apply today for our Grassroots Fundraising Internship

Intern with Catalyst Project to develop hands-on fundraising skills in an organization with a track record of cutting-edge community-based grassroots fundraising, while contributing to building up racial, economic and gender justice organizing. Our model integrates grassroots fundraising with organizing, in order to keep our work accountable to the communities we are based in.

“From working in the office, to outreach in the streets, my internship with Catalyst was always enriching, facilitating my learning and growth in many  ways. I gained experience around grassroots fundraising, organizing strategies and theoretical analysis. I was able to solidify my commitment to social justice, expand my motives for joining the struggle, and clarify what roles are most strategic for me to fill, as someone with many forms of privilege. For anyone looking to get serious about anti-racism, and for anyone looking to work alongside some very inspiring folks towards collective liberation, I would strongly recommend applying for a Catalyst internship.” — Akki Mackay 2012 Fundraising Intern

Catalyst Project internships combine administrative support, program support, grassroots fundraising, political education, community engagement, and mentorship by Catalyst staff and movement leaders. Interns will support the infrastructure and programming of the organization while being exposed to multiracial grassroots social justice movements. We are looking for interns who have a passion for anti-racist community organizing and grassroots social justice movements. This position is open to applicants regardless of experience level with fundraising and grant writing; basic training will be provided, some experience preferred but not necessary.

Past interns have taken their skills into community and movement work, both paid and volunteer. This is a great learning opportunity for building skills on grassroots fundraising as an integral piece of sustaining organizations and movements.

“Interning at Catalyst not only deepened my commitment to anti-racism work, it taught me so much about grassroots fundraising at organizing and helped me land a paying job in fundraising for social justice.  It was a joy to work with and learn from Catalyst staff – it’s truly an environment of appreciation, collaboration, and growth.” — Allison Stelly, Fundraising Intern 2011

Background

Catalyst Project is a center for political education and movement-building based in the San Francisco Bay Area. We work to create a world where all people are free from oppression and exploitation. Catalyst Project works in majority white communities with the goal of deepening anti-racist commitment and building multiracial movements for liberation. We create spaces for organizers to develop and share theory, visions and strategies to build movements for racial, economic, gender and ecological justice. Catalyst programs prioritize leadership development, supporting grassroots organizations and multiracial alliance building.

Catalyst participates in front-line struggles for racial justice, from New Orleans to New York; from Palestine to Alabama; from Texas to Vermont. We provide consulting, strategic planning and organizational development support to organizations in an anti-racist transformation process. We provide opportunities for mentorship and leadership development to emerging anti-racist leaders. We participate in multiracial coalition building both locally and nationally. We work in ongoing partnerships with a number of national, local and international networks and organizations.

Racism continues to fuel tremendous inequalities within the U.S. and on a global scale, and these inequalities also manifest in progressive social movements. Anti-racism is a powerful catalyst for building the peoples’ movements we need to create a world in which no one’s access to housing, income, food, education, healthcare, sexual freedom, or other human rights are restricted based on race, gender, sexuality, age, ability, citizenship, or religion.

Catalyst Project is primarily staffed by a group of volunteer white anti-racist organizers. We are a center that focuses our work on building up awareness, commitment, and action for racial justice within majority white communities, in relationship to multi-racial movements. We are happy to suggest leads of our sister organizations for people of color or multiracial applicants who want to intern or volunteer with racial justice organizations that are led by organizers of color.

Be part of building up dynamic anti-racist movement for the long haul. Come be a Grassroots Fundraising Intern with Catalyst Project!

Responsibilities:

• Participate in administrative work
• Assist in implementing a direct mail appeal
• Organize and participate in phone-banking and donor thank you calls
• Database tracking and updates, maintaining files
• Donor relation and retention work

Other internship activities may include:

• Logistical and outreach support for organizational events
• Assist staff in using social media
• Grant research
• Assist with writing for grants and communications
• Participate in organizational activities
• Other projects as needed and as appropriate to skill set

Benefits to interns:

• Direct contribution to racial/economic/gender justice movement buildin
• Hands-on experience with grassroots fundraising system
• Gain knowledge of integrating grassroots fundraising with organizing
• Political education and mentorship with experienced organizers in Catalyst’s community
• Participate in multi-generational grassroots political communities

Qualifications:

• Interest in grassroots organizing and fundraising, some experience preferred but not required
• Passion for racial, gender and economic justice
• Enthusiasm for learning
• Consistent follow-through on tasks and attention to detail
• Commitment to direct, respectful communication
• Familiarity with Salesforce, Excel, WordPress and Macs a plus
• Writing and editing skills a plus

How to Apply: Link to internship application.

Deadline is rolling. Internships begin in September, with some flexibility on start and end dates, as we understand that peoples’ plans often involve multiple factors. We do not require a resume or CV, although you are free to send one. Please answer the questions in our application and include anything additional in a cover letter. Questions may be directed to Ari Clemenzi at Ari (at) collectiveliberation.org. Credit may be arranged for college or graduate programs.

Time commitment:

• 10-40 hours a week, 3-6 month minimum

Staff works with half and full-time interns to develop and implement projects. Some hours may be out of the office working on directed tasks.

Location:

Catalyst Project is based in the Mission District of San Francisco. Unfortunately our building is not wheelchair accessible. We strive to make our office safe for those with chemical sensitivities.