CCF Internship Positions
WORK FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Organizational Development Internship Positions
With Common Counsel Foundation
The Common Counsel Foundation is seeking several energetic, eager-to-learn individuals to join a dynamic team committed to making an impact in the philanthropic sector and social change community. If you are a highly capable individual seeking a challenging, fast-paced and demanding environment where resourcefulness and independence are essential – you will find this opportunity exciting.
Located in historic Preservation Park in Oakland, California, the Common Counsel Foundation (CCF) is a consortium of small family foundations and individual donors, each that support a variety of economic, social and environmental justice initiatives across California and the Western States. Common Counsel members make approximately $1.5 million in grants annually. In addition to its grantmaking programs, CCF operates two residential retreat programs for social change organizers and writers: Windcall and the Mesa Refuge.
Common Counsel is known and respected for its timely, responsive and collaborative grantmaking; support for grassroots movement building through small, strategic grants and retreat programs; shared values between staff, board and programs; and for its focus in specific issue areas that range from living wage campaigns to immigrant rights, voter education, civil rights, environmental organizing (especially in Native American communities across the West), and campaign finance reform.
Core Responsibilities
The Organizational Development Interns will work closely with the Executive Director and Program Officers on Common Counsel’s organizational and fund development programs. This includes all aspects of philanthropic sector research, communications and fundraising with foundations, individual donors and prospects. They will help develop and implement the Foundation’s organizational development, marketing and fundraising plan in consultation with the Executive Director. In addition to managing communications with funders and trustees the OD interns will play an integral role in facilitating communications with grantees, colleagues and the community. Each Organizational Development Intern will be given projects that relate to one of the following project areas:• Help create and coordinate the CCF strategic development plan.
• Manage individual donor communications, including donor letters, acknowledgements and tracking. Also identify and implement strategies to introduce Common Counsel Foundation to new donors, including house parties and targeted conference workshops.
• Manage communications with foundations, including identifying prospects, proposal and report writing. Must write at least one grant proposal.
• Research process for identifying attorneys and point of contact within the courts and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding cy pres and restitution funds that CCF can apply to manage.
• Create and disseminate marketing material on Common Counsel Foundation's donor services, including its member funds, grantmaking success stories, residential retreat programs, and special projects.
• Research and document grantee success stories and evaluation of CCF grantmaking effectiveness.
• Assist in the development and enhancement the Foundation’s electronic communications capability, including email lists, list serves, and website.
• Develop and write an annual report and periodic trustee newsletters.
• Work with staff and board to develop and implement a major gifts program.
• Assisting with development, planning and coordination of Common Counsel’s special projects, events and meetings.
The ideal candidates will have a work history in the non-profit sector and will demonstrate a commitment to human rights, the protection and preservation of the environment, environmental justice, and economic justice. Prior organizing and/or development experience with a community-based social change organization is preferred. The qualified candidates must be able to work independently in a small organization with multiple projects and will be expected to initiate and complete tasks without extensive supervision. Interns must be able to manage multiple and competing priorities, work well under pressure with a variety of individuals and to balance multiple deadlines. Prior project management and editing experience preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required. Familiarity in using Microsoft programs (Word and Excel) and database experience is required. Prior experience with MacIntosh computers and website design and maintenance is preferred, but not required.
Common Counsel staff values a sense of humor, enthusiasm, and attention to detail, high standards and a willingness to work as a team.
Work Arrangements
The Organizational Development Internships are project based, temporary unpaid positions designed to provide professional experience for students interested in exploring a career in development and social change philanthropy.To apply, please send via e-mail, a cover letter, resume, short writing sample and two references to Cynthia Carey-Grant, Executive Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Or via US mail:
Common Counsel Foundation
678 13th Street, #100
Oakland, CA 94612.
No telephone calls, please.
Common Counsel Foundation promotes equal opportunity.
