Location: Remote with opportunities for travel to conferences/events
Reports to: Research Director
Job Type: Unpaid Internship
Duration: 1 year
Hours: 2 hrs per day (Mon-Fri, between 6am and 4pm PT)
Vacation Days: interns are entitled to 4 weeks of vacation time (20 work days) per 1-year term
Contract Renewal: If onboarded for this internship position, there is possibility for contract renewal after the dates of the internship have ended
WHO WE ARE:
The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization co-founded by Brazilian anthropologist Dr. Bia Labate and American psychologist Dr. Clancy Cavnar, based in Northern California and with strong ties to Brazil and Mexico. We promote reciprocity in the psychedelic community, and support the protection of sacred plants and cultural traditions. We advance psychedelic justice through curating critical conversations and uplifting the voices of women, queer people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, and the Global South in the field of psychedelic science.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
We are currently seeking a creative, detail-oriented, and motivated individual to support Chacruna’s fundraising and development efforts. The Grant Writing Intern will work closely with our team to assist in researching funding opportunities, preparing grant proposals and reports, gathering organizational data and supporting materials, and helping maintain grant calendars and records. This position provides hands-on experience in nonprofit grant writing, prospect research, foundation and donor communications, program evaluation, and the development of funding narratives that advance Chacruna’s mission and programs.
COMPETENCIES:
- Excitement for the mission, vision and values of the organization
- General understanding of the contemporary psychedelic landscape
- Proven experience in fostering and maintaining professional relationships with existing and prospective partners
- Relevant work experience is a plus
- Knowledge of international/IRI funding opportunities is a plus
- Excellent organizational and self-management skills
- Strong and consistent communication skills
- Strong writing and research skills
- Competency in Slack, Google Drive, Google Forms, Excel, YouTube etc.
- Positive attitude, attention to detail with good multitasking and organizational ability
DUTIES:
- Research funding opportunities related to psychedelic research, Indigenous reciprocity, public education, social justice, and environmental conservation.
- Research foundations, government agencies, and corporate funders aligned with Chacruna’s mission.
- Identify new grant opportunities and maintain a database of prospective funders.
- Help set up and attend virtual visits for cultivation and solicitation purposes; create contact reports outlining the potential and realized outcomes of each visit
- Assist in drafting grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and concept notes.
- Review grant guidelines and eligibility requirements.
- Maintain grant calendars, deadlines, and submission trackers.
- Edit and proofread grant applications for clarity, consistency, and accuracy.
- Collaborate with staff across departments to gather program updates, budgets, and evaluation data.
- Gather statistics, impact data, and success stories to strengthen proposals.
- Organize grant files, templates, and supporting documentation.
- Support in updating Chacruna’s nonprofit ratings with third-party nonprofit credentials organizations like Charity Navigator and Candid.
EDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE
Minimum:
- Preferred high school diploma or GED.
- Fluent Portuguese is a plus.
- Fluent in Spanish is a plus.
- Preferred 3 years of demonstrated experience working in a related field.
- Experience working in cause-related issue areas, nonprofit organizations and/or charitable causes, either on staff or in a volunteer role.
Expectations:
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in school or participate in a similar educational program.
- This internship is educational in nature and there is no guarantee or expectation that the internship will result in employment.
- The education received by the Intern from the internship is for the express benefit of the Intern.
- A certificate of completion will be awarded at the end given that all parameters are met.
Opportunities for professional and personal growth:
- Inspirational Talks from Psychedelic Experts – this is a program offered internally for the Chacruna staff which would be accessible to Chacruna interns
- Scholarship opportunities for Chacruna’s offerings such as courses, workshops and events
- One on one mentoring with a Chacruna board member or another expert in Chacruna’s network – this mentor would be someone whose work is relevant to the career path/goals of the intern and would provide guidance and advice for professional growth
- Hosting of a Chacruna Community Forum – this would be an opportunity for the intern to open and introduce forums, which would provide visibility and an opportunity for a speaking engagement which can be added to the intern’s CV
- Creation of a special newsletter
TO APPLY:
Please send your Resume/CV and cover letter to [email protected]