About the role#
The National Cherry Blossom Festival seeks an intern to assist the Business Development and Sponsorship team. This role focuses on corporate sponsorships and experiential marketing. You will gain hands-on experience in the planning and execution of the 2027 Festival while working with a team dedicated to community and cultural programming.
What you'll do#
- Provide administrative support for the Business Development Department.
- Conduct prospecting research and draft sponsorship proposals.
- Build recap reports for sponsors.
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Event & Operations departments to execute on-site sponsorship activations.
- Support the procurement of auction items and meals for staff and volunteers.
- Attend and support fundraising, stakeholder, and festival events.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Slack, and Monday.com.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively with a variety of people.
Location & details#
- This role is based in Washington, DC, with a hybrid work modality involving both remote tasks and on-site office work.
- The internship spans the Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 terms, with a preference for candidates available for both semesters.
- You will work 15 to 20 hours per week between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with some night and weekend availability required during the festival.
- This is an unpaid internship, though a monthly stipend is provided to assist with commuting costs. College credit may be available through your institution.
About National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, District of Columbia. Founded in 2000, it produces annual events that celebrate the 1912 gift of cherry blossom trees to the city. The organization promotes international friendship between the United States and Japan through arts, culture, and community programming. It maintains a staff of 11 to 50 employees.
How to get in at National Cherry Blossom Festival
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