Winter & Spring 2025 Development & Communications Intern

About the Platform of Hope

The mission of the Platform of Hope is to enhance the ability of families of color to define and pursue success while building community by connecting them with coaching, services and one another. Together, we amplify the experiences of DC area families and address systemic barriers to success.

The Platform of Hope began as a pilot program in September 2018 to combat the displacement of low-income families of color from Adams Morgan/ Ward 1 by supporting families in accessing resources and connecting to their community. Our program works to change the paradigm of traditional social services delivery to center the voices of families in making holistic decisions about their life, as well as uphold social capital between families as a key factor for long term success. POH’s model looks at the integration of housing, education, employment, family stability, physical health, mental health, etc. to partner with families to identify their goals and then self-direct plans to accomplish those goals.  Find out more at www.platformofhopedc.org
 

2025 Development/Communications Intern

This internship will be hybrid, with both in-person and online hours. We are happy to build a schedule that best works for the intern. If needed, a laptop can be provided. The internship period is expected to be 8-10 weeks, January 21st - May 30th* preferred* and between 15-20 hours a week. Interns should be available for weekly check in with Executive Director and if available past May, preference will be given. Evening hours and Saturday availability on occasion are a plus.
 

Responsibilities

The Development/Communications Intern will provide day-to-day support and facilitation of the Platform of Hope fundraising initiatives. POH works with Black and Brown families who are facing economic vulnerability. Currently, we support cohorts of families (totaling 50 active participant families in 2025) with the following: coaching to identify and pursue their goals; providing weeknight training for financial literacy, mental health, etc.; referrals families to partner services, as needed; hosting family events designed to increase social capital and connection.

The mission of the Platform of Hope is to enhance the ability of families of color to define and pursue success while building community by connecting them with coaching, services and one another. Together, we amplify the experiences of DC area families and address systemic barriers to success.

Sample internship responsibilities include:
 

• Create fliers and other communications (in English and Spanish) to share with partners and donors in monthly newsletter 
  • Experience with e-mail platforms such as Constant Contact a plus but training will be provided
• Create and post regular communications of program stories to Linked In (in collaboration with Executive Director)
• Making updates to databases, such as our CRM (constituent resource management ) as needed
• Research and create resource guides for needed services for families
• Attend family group meetings (as appropriate) to take notes and support facilitation
• Help schedule meetings and appointments for board, partners, potential funders
• Support a research project for individual giving strategy design

Qualifications

The Platform of Hope is operated by a small, passionate team. The ideal applicant will be motivated, with the ability to self-manage, as well as organized, creative and detail-oriented. Other ideal competencies are: design skills; familiarity with databases; good time management; friendly and interested in engaging with people; resourceful; interested in learning new things.

Students studying communications/human relations/ marketing/ or nonprofit leadership and management preferred at the graduate or undergraduate level.

Preferred applicants will have a passion for family-led change and building equitable communities.

Please note about payment: we plan to provide a monthly $200 stipend to interns for their work but due to our fiscal sponsor’s requirements, interns must also be receiving academic credit to receive this stipend.

We offer a temporary (by semester) paid position of $20/hour  to all candidates who are not receiving academic credit.

How to Apply

Please contact Taylor Mitchell at tmitchell@platformofhopedc.org with an email detailing your interest in the internship, any relevant experience and attach your resume. References and writing samples may be requested. Please apply as soon as possible!