Intern Position: Special Events Intern
Reports To: Special Events Manager
Location: Balboa Park
Forever Balboa Park is the nonprofit conservancy dedicated to enhancing and helping maintain all 1,200 acres of Balboa Park. From caring for the Park’s gardens and urban forest to greeting thousands of guests at the Visitor’s Center and info booths daily, our staff and hundreds of volunteers work year-round to ensure Balboa Park remains a natural source of wonder for all who visit.
Position Summary:
Daily meetings 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM with Manager (Kelly Ford – Special Events Manager). First 30 minutes to review tasks from the day before, with time for Kelly to give feedback on the work and answer questions. Second 30 minutes to review tasks for that day and answer any initial questions. Kelly will also be available to answer questions throughout the day as needed. Weekly meetings on Friday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM to review interns progress and generally discuss interns’ questions about the industry, their interests, career paths, etc.
The intern will assist the Special Events Manager with research, document organization, event preparation, and administrative support across major fundraising events, community events, and galas.
This role is designed to provide hands-on nonprofit event planning experience while supporting high-impact organizational priorities.
General Forever Balboa Park Intern Requirements:
(Please note that this is an unpaid, temporary, internship position. Interns typically help out for a semester or quarter of their school year. The number of hours of the internship are dependent on the hours the intern needs for their university or college’s internship or work experience requirement).
- Reliable transportation to and from Balboa Park and ability to fill out parking information in online parking portal (if in-person)
- Able to complete a City of San Diego Livescan background check
- Able to complete the State of California Harassment Prevention Training (1hr online training)
- Able to sign Forever Balboa Park’s waiver
- Able to record internship hours in Forever Balboa Park’s Volgistic software.
- Ability to work in a hybrid work environment, with some work in person at Balboa Park and some computer work that can be done remotely.
Balboa Park Garden Party 2027
Support planning and administrative preparation for Forever Balboa Park’s signature immersive fundraising event celebrating the Botanical Building and Central Gardens restoration.
Responsibilities:
- Administrative organization of the guest list using Excel, including tracking:
- Lounge purchasers
- Host Committee members
- VIP attendees Special accommodations (valet, accessibility, dietary needs, etc.)
- Assist with preparation of expense disbursement forms and documentation for vendor payments
- Prepare volunteer day-of-show documents, including:
- Volunteer assignments
- Shift schedules
- Arrival instructions
- Check-in procedures
- Guest experience responsibilities
Research silent auction and fundraising opportunities used by other nonprofit galas and garden parties
Research sponsor-friendly activation ideas and guest engagement opportunities for fundraising during the event
Research promotional platforms and websites where event visibility would be beneficial, including:
DoSD
Eventbrite opportunities
Local philanthropy/event calendars
Community newsletters and publications
National Carousel Day 2027
Support planning and sponsor research for a family-friendly community activation celebrating National Carousel Day in Balboa Park.
Responsibilities:
- Research potential sponsors for family activities such as:
- Face painting
- Children’s entertainment
- Activity booths
- Giveaways and branded family experiences
- Identify local sponsor prospects such as:
- Dental offices
- Pediatric practices
- Family-focused businesses
- Community banks
- Local retailers
- Assist with Google Drive organization to centralize:
- Vendor quotes
- Permit applications
- Event layouts
- Sponsorship materials
- Activation planning documents
- Research community calendars, family blogs, and local event platforms for event promotion, including:
- DoSD
- Mommy blogs
- Family activity websites
- Tourism calendars Community event boards
Spark Awards 2026 + 2027
Support planning and outreach for Forever Balboa Park’s annual sPARK Awards celebrating innovation across People, Nature, and Culture in Balboa Park.
Responsibilities:
- Research potential sponsors in innovation, technology, design, and civic leadership spaces across San Diego
- Build a sponsorship prospect list including:
- Tech companies
- Innovation firms
- Design firms
- Civic leadership organizations
- Creative agencies
- Corporate philanthropy teams
- Assist with Google Drive organization to centralize:
- Vendor quotes
- Sponsorship documents
- Venue planning materials
- Committee notes
- Award nomination materials
- Research platforms and publications where event visibility would be valuable, including:
- DoSD
- Innovation blogs
- Business journals
- Leadership publications
- Community calendars
- Assist with outreach preparation for organizations within Balboa Park and surrounding communities who may be interested in:
- Submitting nominations
- Recommending nominees
- Participating as sponsors or attendees
Skills & Tasks Intern Should Be Comfortable With
- Research
- Data entry
- Spreadsheet organization
- Competitive analysis
- Drafting templates
- RSVP tracking
- Google Drive organization
- Professional written communication
- Vendor comparison research
- Sponsorship prospecting
- Document formatting
- Administrative event support
- Light outreach preparation
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and relevant experience to Diane Lincoln at volunteer@balboapark.org.
Forever Balboa Park is an equal opportunity employer. Forever Balboa Park is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of its staff, visitors, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and donors. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include but are not limited to hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We will take Affirmative Action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant.