2026 Grants and Research Development Intern: Co-op Model at Awe

Job Description:

Position Title: Grants and Research Development Intern: Co-op Model

Position Type: Part-Time

Classification: Non-Exempt

Department: Development

Reports to: Grants Manager

Date Reviewed: October 2025

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where the community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

Position Summary:

The Grants and Research Development Internship with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is designed to provide hands-on experience in the research, development, and management of institutional and foundation funding opportunities. This position focuses on strengthening the museum’s grant-seeking strategy by supporting activities such as prospect research, proposal writing, funder cultivation, and data-driven reporting.

The intern will gain exposure to all phases of the grants and research development process—from identifying potential funders and developing proposals to tracking outcomes and stewarding relationships with granting agencies. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in arts administration, nonprofit management, research strategy, or fundraising analytics. Specific projects may be customized based on the intern’s interests, academic background, and career goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Grant Research and Prospect Development

• Conduct targeted research to identify potential funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Analyze funding trends, eligibility criteria, and alignment with museum priorities.
• Maintain and update the grants prospect database and research tracking tools.

Proposal Development and Writing

• Assist in drafting and editing concept notes, letters of inquiry, and grant proposals.
• Gather and synthesize information from program staff to develop compelling narratives and accurate budgets.
• Support the preparation of supporting materials such as organizational overviews, data reports, and appendices.

Funder Cultivation and Stewardship

• Help prepare briefing materials, correspondence, and reports for funders.
• Assist in coordinating site visits, follow-up communications, and post-award reporting.
• Support internal communications and collaboration among departments involved in grant-funded initiatives.

Grants Management and Evaluation

• Learn about post-award grant administration, compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to grant data collection and performance measurement.
• Support tracking of deadlines, deliverables, and renewal opportunities.

Other Development and Research Support

• Gain an overview of the museum’s broader fundraising initiatives, including membership, major gifts, and corporate partnerships.
• Participate in cross-departmental meetings to understand how research and funding intersect with program development and strategic planning.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education and Academic Background

• Current undergraduate student in Arts Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Policy, Communications, English, Business, Research Methods, or a related field.
• Strong interest in arts, culture, philanthropy, research, and the nonprofit sector.
• No prior grant writing experience required training and mentorship will be provided.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an eagerness to strengthen professional and academic writing abilities.
• Willingness to learn new tools, systems, and methods related to grants research and development.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize information clearly.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with research databases or CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Foundation Directory Online) is a plus but not required.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and shifting priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and communicate with professionalism and respect.

Preferred Experience (not required)

• Coursework, volunteer experience, or class projects related to nonprofit management, fundraising, or research.
• Familiarity or interest in budgeting, data organization, or reporting.
• Demonstrated interest in social impact, public service, or arts and wellness initiatives.

Timeline:

Intern selected by: January 15, 2026

Schedule:

Start Date: March 9, 2026

End Date: November 13, 2026

This co-op model is styled to provide the intern selected for this position a full experience on the Crystal Bridges campus and will have a fluctuation in hours that will work with an existing school schedule.

The following is the permitted work hours schedule.

·         March 9th-May 9th -Up to 20 hours a week

·         May 10th-May 31st-Up to 30 hours a week

·         June 1st-July 25th- Up to 40 hours a week

·         July 26th-August 8th- Up to 30 hours a week

·         August 9th-November 13th- Up to 20 hours a week

Undergraduate Interns: See permitted hours schedule for this co-op experience.

Weekly schedule to be arranged with direct supervisor

To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s hours, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Compensation:

• Undergraduate Students: $13.00

To qualify for bachelor’s or master’s compensation, you must be enrolled in an accredited program or have graduated from an accredited program within the last three years. Students will be required to submit a current schedule or official transcript.

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Housing

Housing for internship positions is contingent upon the availability of funding and is not guaranteed. Internships that include housing explicitly state this within the position description. Any housing and/or relocation assistance provided is considered taxable income and will be reflected on the intern’s Form W-2. If housing is provided, priority will be given to students whose primary residence is more than 150 miles or three hours from either Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Momentary.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: In the work environment described, position requires verbal and written conversation with others, sitting, standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, strenuous lifting/moving objects up to 50 pounds, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.  Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.

• Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, construction site, classrooms, libraries, trails, and nature, and in communities served. Work environment may include exposure to potentially hazardous chemical solutions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

If the intern’s personal equipment is used, the museum accepts no liability for any damage caused to said equipment while being used for museum purposes, nor loss or corruption of electronic files on devices.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.