intern or volunteer with psny!

Working with The Poetry Society of New York (PSNY) as an intern can be life-changing. Internship tasks can be tailored to your interests, whether in event production, marketing or PR, fundraising and development, editorial work, or other areas. As a small non-profit, we empower our interns with much more responsibility than most organizations, and we usually become lifelong friends. All internships are unpaid but can be done for college credit.

INTERN WITH PSNY

At PSNY, we value the contributions of our interns and volunteers. Join us in creating unforgettable experiences and making a lasting impact in the poetry community.

We encourage those with any of the following qualifications to apply:

Hands-on mentality; self-motivated, intuitive, and independent worker

Strong artistic aesthetic and attention to detail

Ability to work remotely and during nonstandard business hours

Demonstrated familiarity with and enthusiasm for poetry, literature, theater, and performance art

Experience using Eventbrite, Canva, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Submittable, Squarespace, Quickbooks, Shopify, and/or Google Workspace

To be considered for an internship, please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest, background, and availability through Submittable.


Volunteer with PSNY

We are always looking for volunteers to help on-site at The Poetry Brothel, The New York City Poetry Festival, the Spring Gala, and more! Please use the form below to send us a note, including information about your interest, background, and availability. We look forward to hearing from you!

OPEN JOB POSITIONS

The Poetry Society of New York is seeking a part-time Development Director! Our ideal candidate will have extensive non-profit development and fundraising experience, as well as a deep love for poetry.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR PRIMARY DUTIES:

  • Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to meet the organization’s annual revenue goals.

  • Collaborate with the CEO to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities and long-term goals.

  • Analyze past fundraising efforts and identify new opportunities for revenue growth, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and special events.

  • Build and maintain relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors to secure ongoing support.

  • Develop and execute donor engagement plans, including personalized communications, recognition, and events.

  • Create and oversee the implementation of strategies to expand the donor base and increase donor retention.

  • Develop a major gifts program, identifying and cultivating high-net-worth individuals for significant contributions.

  • Collaborate with the CEO to solicit major gifts and foster relationships with key supporters.

  • Promote and manage planned giving initiatives, such as bequests and legacy gifts, in collaboration with external consultants or tools like FreeWill.

  • Identify and secure corporate sponsorships for events, programs, and initiatives.

  • Build strategic partnerships with companies and organizations to enhance visibility and financial support.

  • Oversee fundraising events, including galas, auctions, and donor appreciation events, ensuring financial and experiential success.

  • Lead the planning and execution of capital or endowment campaigns as needed.

  • Develop strategies for digital fundraising campaigns, such as crowdfunding or Giving Tuesday efforts.

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records using organization’s database tools

  • Analyze donor data to assess the effectiveness of fundraising strategies and inform future efforts.

  • Prepare detailed fundraising reports for the CEO, COO, and board of directors, highlighting progress and opportunities.

  • Work closely with the marketing team to develop impactful fundraising materials, such as brochures, social media campaigns, and email appeals.

  • Partner with the programs team to identify funding needs and align proposals with programmatic goals.

  • Serve as staff liaison to the org’s fundraising committee, providing guidance and resources to support their efforts.

  • Collaborate with the CFO to develop and monitor the fundraising budget.

  • Ensure fundraising activities are cost-effective and deliver a strong return on investment.

  • Represent the organization at donor meetings, networking events, and public engagements.

  • Serve as an ambassador for the organization, communicating its mission, vision, and impact to current and prospective supporters.

  • Work with development interns and PSNY staff to research and identify grant opportunities aligned with the organization’s mission and programs.

  • Work with development interns and PSNY staff to create compelling grant proposals, ensuring alignment with funder priorities and organizational needs.

  • Work with development interns and PSNY staff to track grant deadlines, submit timely reports, and maintain compliance with grant requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Non-profit development experience

  • Fundraising experience

  • Grant writing & proposals

  • Strong networking experience & capabilities

  • Donor cultivation

  • & more!

JOB DETAILS:

  • Part-time, up to 20 hours per week.

  • $35,000-$40,000 pay range

  • Monthly healthcare stipend

  • Flexible schedule

TO APPLY:

Please click the button below and send us your resume & cover letter!