Community Engagement Intern - Fall 2026 (UNPAID)

Background

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of crisis or violent conflict. Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

Scope of Work

The intern will assist the Community Engagement Coordinator with various aspects of community outreach and event planning. Tasks may include cold calling organizations and faith-based communities, responding to donors, answering community partner inquiries, updating outreach documents and presentations. This role will support the donations of items to support clients, including outreach to donors, coordination of donation drives, maintaining inventory counts of received goods, and supporting staff with the disbursement of goods to clients. Interns will also assist with writing and design tasks such as drafting newsletter articles, generating photo and video content for social media, crafting web posts, and creating invitations and programs for special events. Support will be provided to both the Richmond and Charlottesville offices of the IRC. The primary focus will be on the Richmond community, with support for Charlottesville being virtual.

Responsibilities

• Assist with outreach to current and potential program partners.
• Manage outreach efforts, track progress and quantify results.
• Provide support for special events.
• Research opportunities for the IRC to further engage with community events in the Greater Richmond and Charlottesville communities.
• Support community outreach by contributing to IRC's social media accounts, newsletter, community presentation materials, printed materials, and other communication efforts.
• Assist with the in-kind contributions program, including outreach for donation drives, coordinating delivery of goods, counting and inventorying donations, fulfilling donation requests to support clients, and assisting with the maintenance of our inventory database.
• Record hours and submit completed timesheet for each month via the IRC's online Volunteer Dashboard.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or recent graduate.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and reliable.
• Experience with data entry and managing databases.
• Familiarity with basic video editing and graphic design software (Canva).
• Comfortable taking leadership role as appropriate.
• Interested in learning about the Greater Richmond community.
• Experience working within a nonprofit office environment.
• While a personal vehicle is not required, it would be helpful on occasion.

Benefits

• 10 sick days
• 10 U.S. holidays
• 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
• Medical insurance starting at $163 per month
• Dental starting at $6.50 per month
• Vision starting at $5 per month
• FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
• 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
• Disability & life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program available to staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles