Summer/Fall 2026: Development & Communications Intern (Unpaid)

IRC BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 50 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments.   

SCOPE OF INTERNSHIP: The role will offer vital assistance to the Development Team at the IRC in San Diego, aiding in stakeholder engagement by organizing strategic events, leading the local communications planning, and other assigned business development projects. The intern plays a pivotal part in involving the community and producing materials to back the IRC's work in significant ways. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Support the planning of IRC in San Diego fundraising events, including strategy around social media, outreach, material production, sponsorship research, and ticket sales 

• Brainstorm and create a strategic outreach plan and content to engage new community partners, university contacts, and other groups supporting IRC events  

• Manage IRC webpages and social media to ensure information is current and regularly updated  

• Aid in content collection and storytelling projects for web and social media platforms  

• Opportunity to transcribe client interviews, gather content for IRC social media accounts  

• Aid the Development Team in securing in-kind donations for refugee and asylum-seeking clients  

• Provide administrative support to the Development Team by assisting with data entry, producing acknowledgments, and other cultivation activities  

• Participate in weekly meetings with the Development Team and bi-weekly staff meetings  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

• Student will learn how to plan and execute major fundraising and community events 

• Student will learn about strategic planning for fundraising and communications 

• Student will learn about administrative processes in the non-profit space.  

REQUIREMENTS:  

• Currently in an undergraduate or graduate degree program or graduated within one year, preferably event planning, marketing, communications or related area of study  

• Proficient in spoken and written English  

• Experience in graphic design or Canva a plus  

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite 

• Detail-oriented and able to multi-task efficiently  

• Experience in event planning, sales or marketing, or managing social media a plus 

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills 

• Able to work in fast-paced, deadline driven, team-oriented environment 

• Intern will need to supply their home workspace, computer, internet access, etc. 

This position reports to the Development Manager.  

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity. 

Working Environment:   

• The Development and Communications Internship can be in-person at the San Diego office or hybrid. 

• San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours based on this window of availability.