Advancement/Events Internship

This position offers a behind-the-scenes look at how funds are raised to support the liberty movement in Michigan. The candidate will gain an overview of donor relations, donor meetings, event management, grant writing, donor-related mail and email efforts and more.

Preferred candidates will have strong verbal and written communication skills, demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, and show aptitude for managing highly confidential information.

Advancement work might include:

• Online research to help grow the Mackinac Center family of supporters. This includes gathering and analyzing data from news media, public databases, Facebook, LinkedIn and other sources.
• Database work to strengthen communications with donors, primarily by acquiring email addresses and other contact information.
• Personal contact with donors through phone calls and emails related to Mackinac Center events, projects or donor relations in general.
• Clerical support, such as data entry, filing, handling mailings, etc.

Event work might include:

• Assist event manager with logistics, such as scheduling, marketing and executing pre-registration for events, including calling attendees to confirm registration and contact information.
• In the case of in-person events, set up and take down of event material, greeting guests, handling onsite registration, etc. This includes same-day travel throughout the State of Michigan and may involve evening or weekend work.
• In the case of virtual events, work may include assisting with technology, troubleshooting during event, assisting with online questions/comments.
• Assist with guest and vendor follow-up after each event.
• Review contracts and vendor documents for accuracy.

To be considered for the Summer Intern Program, students must be a full-time college student, recent graduate (within six months of graduation) and at least 18 years old. Ideal candidates will possess strong research, writing and organization skills. Customer service experience is a plus. This internship provides an opportunity to work at the nation’s premiere state-based free-market public policy research and educational organization and to attend various skills and career development programs such as our Intern University, Intern-Net and trips to the state capitol & Supreme Court, The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Review, Issues & Ideas events and various staff and intern outings.

Please note that a curriculum major in politics or economics is not required; students from all subject areas are encouraged to apply.

The employment term is a minimum of 10 full-time weeks between May and August (flexibility in start and end dates). Interns are compensated at the rate of $12 per hour, paid a housing stipend in the amount of $250 per month if their permanent address is outside a 30-mile radius of Midland and are employed on an at-will basis. At this time we expect to have our intern program onsite, unless covid restrictions prohibit it.

Candidates are to submit a resume, a cover letter and a 700-word essay on any policy issue to the intern coordinator by March 19, 2021. If you wish to be considered for multiple positions, more than one essay is not required, but we do request a cover letter for each position with your department choices listed.

Email application materials to intern@mackinac.org or mail to:

Christine Bowerson
Director of Operations/Intern Coordinator
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
140 West Main Street
P.O. Box 568
Midland, MI 48640-0568