Summer/Fall Event Intern

Great North Innocence Project Job Description: Summer/Fall Event Intern

Part-time; class credit or stipend-eligible position; June 23, 2025  - October 3, 2025; 100 -133 hour commitment; minimum of 8 hours/week at the Great North Innocence Project’s office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; required on-site event support at Nicollet Island Pavilion on September 24, 2025. While scheduling is flexible, all hours must be completed on-site. This is not a remote position.

Organizational Summary:

The mission of the Great North Innocence Project is to free the wrongfully convicted and prevent future wrongful convictions from occurring in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Founded in 2001, the Great North Innocence Project provides legal representation to people wrongfully convicted or incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. The Great North Innocence Project also educates attorneys and other criminal justice professionals on investigation and interrogation best practices, educates the community about wrongful convictions, and works to reform the criminal legal system to prevent innocent people from going to prison.
 

To learn more, visit www.greatnorthinnocenceproject.org

Open Date: 05/06/2025 Close Date: until filled
 

Purpose:

The Event Intern will play an integral role in advancing the mission of GNIP by supporting the daily activities of the organization and preparing for our biggest event of the year, the Benefit for Innocence. This stipend-eligible internship will be supervised by the Advancement & Operations Coordinator and supported by the entire Advancement Team. The Event Intern will support development functions including silent auction solicitation, event coordination, and other administrative and communication tasks as assigned. The position runs from June 23, 2025  - October 3, 2025  with academic credit or a $1,500-$2,000 stipend based on hours worked.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the Benefit for Innocence event on Wednesday 9/24 from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm at Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Silent Auction Management
  • Solicit in-kind donations from businesses/organizations, with the support of the Advancement & Operations Coordinator.
  • Organize, track, and keep inventory of all silent auction items.
  • Coordinate item pick-ups, drop-ffs, and donor follow-up.
  • Lead silent auction set up and check-out on event day
  • Write engaging item descriptions for event materials.
  • Assist with silent auction set up in Classy.
  • Ensure a timely and thoughtful acknowledgement to all auction donors post event.
• Volunteer Coordination 
  • Help lead volunteer training prior to the Benefit for Innocence
  • Provide onsite guidance and support for volunteers during the event
• Administrative and Communications Support
  • Provide general administrative support when needed
  • Provide support to the Communications Director when needed.
  •  

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Includes $1,500-$2,000 stipend payable at the end of internship or utilization of work study/class credit, if eligible
• Will understand the complex day-to-day roles of a nonprofit, especially how nonprofits raise funds and engage with the community
• Will learn professionalism: intrapersonal relationships, administrative skills, phone and email communication
• Will gain an in-depth understanding of the causes and consequences of wrongful convictions and how to engage about these topics with donors, volunteers, and community members
• Will develop knowledge of using fundraising/event management platform (Classy)
   

Qualifications:

• Passionate about legal justice and criminal justice reform
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills
• Proficient computer skills
• Excels at both working independently and on a team
• Manages multiple priorities and follows a project through to completion
• Reliable, flexible, detail-oriented and open to feedback
• Sensitivity and commitment to diversity and the ability to work respectfully with people of all cultures, backgrounds, and work styles

Schedule/Timeline: 8+ hours per week between June and October on-site at the GNIP office during regular hours (M-F, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm), schedule flexible. The GNIP office is located in Mondale Hall on the U of M West Bank campus at 229 19th Ave South Suite 285 Minneapolis, MN 55455.

To Apply: 

Send cover letter and resume as attachments via e-mail to Deandra Bieneman, Development Director, at dbieneman@gn-ip.org. Applications will be accepted until June 6th  or until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as they are able.
 

Workforce Diversity & Equal Opportunity:

The Great North Innocence Project considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. Individuals with personal connections to the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is our policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by law.