Communications Intern

Timeline

• June 6 by 11:59 PM: Applications due
• June 16-19: Phone interviews for invited candidates (round 1)
• June 23-27: Zoom or in-person interviews for invited candidates (round 2)
• June 30-July 4: Intern selection made
• Week of July 7: Internship begins (unless otherwise agreed upon between supervisor and intern)

Communications Intern Position Description

• Position Status: 10-15 hours/week for approximately 12 weeks or 120-180 work hours
• Length of Internship: July-September 2025, with start and end dates flexible and to be decided on between Supervisor and Intern
• Compensation: $5,000 stipend, paid bimonthly (twice a month)
• Location: Remote or hybrid at home and at our Traverse City office two days per week (Wednesdays & Thursdays)
• Supervisor: Communications Manager

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together to give back to our region then, now, and forever. This vision lives on within our organization today as we continue supporting a variety of community impact areas, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services.

We do this by promoting giving, engaging in collaborative leadership, supporting nonprofit organizations through meaningful grants and local students through scholarships, and building endowments that make a lasting impact for generations to come.

Our mission is to invest in the people and places of our region and steward community assets for lasting impact, all in support of our vision: a region of healthy, resilient, thriving communities for all.

For the summer of 2025, we are seeking a Communications Intern to support us with a variety of communications projects and functions. The Communications Intern will be an important part of our team and will be integrated in internal meetings as appropriate. The Communications Intern will be expected to lean into our organizational values of adaptability, collaboration, equity, generosity, integrity, and stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Photo Library – Support with organization, labeling, and captions.
• Press Releases – Support creating press release templates for upcoming stories.
• Social Media – Support with post creation, scheduling, and pulling and analyzing metrics and analytics.
• Story Library – Support with organizing and updating the story and testimonials library, including updating Community Suite as needed.
• Storytelling – Help pull quotes and stories from grant reports and organize them for easy use across communications channels.
• Website – Support removal of old/data backend content, help update backend file and photo organization, support creation of new blog posts/stories, and support other website updates, as assigned.
• Participate in regular check-ins with Communications Manager and occasional internal meetings with other staff members.
• Assist with other communications projects, as discussed with and assigned by the Communications Manager.

Qualifications & Experience

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary program (certificate program, community college, university, etc.), preferably in a related field such as nonprofit management, marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, writing, English, or business administration
• Strong analytical, organization, communications, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to analyze basic metrics and related data.
• Experience with writing or content creation.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, etc.)
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and proactive with ability to work on multiple projects at once while keeping things moving and communicating about progress along the way.
• Familiarity with social media platforms, Customer Relationship Management software, and website platforms a plus, but not required.
• Interest in philanthropy, charitable giving, or social good work a plus, but not required.
• Living within or resident of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau Counties preferred, but not required.

How to Apply

Complete an online application form by Friday, June 6, which will ask for a resume and answers to the following questions:

• Share briefly about yourself, your education journey, your career aspirations, and any recent community involvement/leadership/volunteer work.
• What interests you about this position and/or the Community Foundation?
• How do you see your career goals align with this position and/or the work of the Community Foundation?
• What are you hoping to gain from this position?
• Is there anything else you’d like to add?