Communications and Community Engagement Intern - This internship offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful communications and community engagement efforts, building brand awareness and fostering connections with our diverse community.
We are Central Indiana Community Foundation, The Indianapolis Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana–a $1 billion collective of philanthropic organizations committed to making Central Indiana a community where all individuals have equitable opportunity to reach their full potential – no matter place, race or identity.
What We Do: For more than 100 years, we have helped people invest in the causes that matter most to them; awarded grants to effective not-for-profit organizations; and provided leadership to make Central Indiana a better, more beautiful, more equitable community. We believe in anti-racism, authentic relationships, inclusivity, leadership, effectiveness and sustainability.
What We’re Looking For: The Indianapolis Foundation (IF) is seeking a Communications and Community Engagement Intern to support our newly created Senior Director position. This internship offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful communications and community engagement efforts, building brand awareness and fostering connections with our diverse community. You will gain hands-on experience in crafting communications strategies, developing digital content, and engaging with stakeholders.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
As an intern, you will play a vital role in supporting the Indianapolis Foundation’s communications and community engagement initiatives. Your specific responsibilities will include:
Support Communications Campaigns:
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Assist in developing and implementing strategic communications plans aimed at raising awareness and engaging target audiences.
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Help craft compelling stories and messaging that highlight IF’s impact, mainly through grantmaking and community initiatives.
Content Development:
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Collaborate with team members to draft and edit various communications materials, including social media posts, newsletters, blog articles, and press releases.
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Gather and curate content that showcases IF’s projects, events, and community impact.
Digital Strategy:
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Assist in creating and scheduling digital content for IF’s website and social media platforms, ensuring it aligns with our brand and mission.
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Help produce digital assets, such as videos and infographics, that effectively communicate IF’s initiatives.
Event Coordination:
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Support the planning and execution of community events and initiatives, including logistics, outreach, and follow-up communications.
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Participate in on-site event management, ensuring smooth operations and effective audience engagement.
Media Relations:
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Help identify and maintain lists of local and regional media contacts to facilitate outreach.
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Assist in drafting press materials and preparing briefing documents for media interviews and community events.
Editorial Calendar Management:
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Contribute to the development and maintenance of an editorial calendar that tracks key communications campaigns, grant deadlines and community events.
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Support program-specific outreach efforts by helping to organize email lists and campaign schedules.
Data Analysis:
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Assist in monitoring and analyzing campaign performance metrics using tools like Google Analytics and social media insights.
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Help prepare reports that summarize findings and recommend strategies for improving future campaigns.
Collaboration and Relationship Building:
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Work closely with team members to foster collaboration and ensure alignment in messaging and outreach efforts.
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Participate in team meetings and brainstorming sessions, bringing fresh ideas and insights to the table.
Professional Development:
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Engage in learning opportunities to enhance your understanding of communications, community engagement, and nonprofit operations.
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Attend relevant workshops, webinars, or community events as available, to broaden your experience and network within the field.
By taking on these responsibilities, you will gain practical experience in communications and community engagement while contributing to meaningful work that benefits the Indianapolis community.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, creative, and eager to learn, with a passion for community engagement and communications. Qualifications include:
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Education: Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field. (Preferred)
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Degree in Journalism (Highly preferred)
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Experience: Prior experience through internships, volunteer work, or coursework in communications, community outreach, or event planning is a plus.
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Project Management Skills: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
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Understanding of Inclusive Practices: Awareness of inclusive communication strategies and a commitment to ensuring accessibility in messaging and outreach.
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Analytical Skills: Basic knowledge of tools for tracking campaign metrics (e.g., Google Analytics) is preferred.
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Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and community members, fostering collaboration and inclusivity.
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Commitment to Equity: A genuine interest in supporting IF’s focus on racial equity and economic opportunity.
Application Details This is a paid internship with flexible hours that can accommodate your academic schedule. If you’re excited about making a difference in the Indianapolis community and gaining valuable experience in communications and community engagement, we encourage you to apply!
What You Get:
- $20/hr salary plus generous benefits, including:
- Flexible, hybrid work arrangement - Work from home on Mondays and Fridays, working no more than 30 hours a week.
- Homebase–Newly renovated office space conveniently located downtown, just steps from Mass Ave.
- An opportunity to do meaningful, results-driven work with a passionate, diverse team, supporting organizations committed to building and maintaining a strong, equitable and supportive culture for our team of changemakers.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:
Central Indiana Community Foundation, The Indianapolis Foundation, Hamilton County Community Foundation and Women’s Fund of Central Indiana are equal opportunity employers that seek to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and to support their retention and advancement. Justice is one of our core values, and we are committed to fostering a workplace culture inclusive of people with respect to their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, age, disabilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs or any other characteristic. Our commitment to justice and diversity also means providing a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and engaging.
Our mission is to mobilize people, ideas and investments to make Central Indiana a community where all individuals have equitable opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter place, race or identity.
Racism deeply impacts the well-being of our communities, compounding existing disparities and creating intersectional barriers. We strive to name and address these barriers through community engagement and assessment, relevant and effective policy creation, and organizational accountability methods. We support initiatives that address all forms of oppression, however, maintaining an explicit focus on race is essential to advancing equity across our communities. Improving outcomes for people of color will improve outcomes for everyone.