External Affairs & Communications Undergraduate Summer Intern
About the Foundation
The Kresge Foundation is one of the top 20 private philanthropic foundations in the United States and the only one focused exclusively on expanding opportunities for people with low-income in American cities. With an endowment of approximately $4 billion and a staff of over 100 employees, the foundation deploys grants and social investments across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development. The foundation’s state-of-the-art headquarters maintains an array of energy-efficient, water-conserving and health-promoting systems. The foundation also operates an office in Detroit’s Midtown district.
About the External Affairs & Communications Team
The Kresge Foundation's communications team works to amplify the voices of grantee partners and communities working to expand opportunity in America's cities. We tell stories that center equity, celebrate progress, and invite honest conversation about the work still ahead. Guided by trust, creativity, and a commitment to showing up for one another, we collaborate across the Foundation and with external partners to share insights, elevate impact, and connect the dots between local action and national change. Whether through media relations, digital storytelling, or thought leadership, our goal is to always communicate with clarity, care, and a deep respect for the people and places at the heart of our mission.
About the Position
The Kresge Foundation seeks an undergraduate student to join our communications team for a 10-week summer internship. This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit storytelling, digital media, and mission-driven communications while working alongside a creative, collaborative team committed to equity and social change.
As a Communications Intern, you will help craft compelling stories that center the voices and work of our grantee partners, community organizations, advocates, and changemakers expanding opportunity in cities across the U.S. and in the foundations focus cities. You will conduct interviews, write for the website, take photographs, and analyze data. This role is ideal for a student who is a strong writer, a thoughtful listener, and is eager to learn in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
- Storytelling & Content Development
- Research, interview, and write feature stories about Kresge grantee partners for publication on Kresge.org
- Collaborate with program staff and external partners to identify story angles that reflect the foundation's commitment to equity and community-led change
- Edit and refine content to align with Kresge's voice: asset-oriented, solutions-focused, and deeply respectful of partner leadership
- Photography & Visual Storytelling
- Capture high-quality photographs during site visits, events, and interviews to accompany digital stories
- Work with the communications team to develop visual narratives that honor the dignity and agency of the people and communities we serve
- Organize and catalog photo assets for use across digital platforms
- Research & Coordination
- Track down information, coordinate interviews, and follow up with partners in a timely and professional manner
- Navigate a complex organizational environment with persistence, curiosity, and attention to detail
- Support the communications team with media monitoring, content audits, and other projects as needed
- Learning & Professional Development
- Participate in team meetings, editorial reviews, and feedback sessions
- Engage with Kresge program staff to deepen understanding of the foundation's work across sectors and geographies
- Attend foundation-wide events, speaker series, and professional development opportunities
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in journalism, communications, English, media studies, or a related field
- Knowledge of or connection to Detroit and its communities
- Strong writing skills with a portfolio of published or academic work (clips welcome but not required)
- Demonstrated interest in social justice, equity, and community development
- Comfortable conducting interviews and building rapport with diverse stakeholders
- Basic photography skills and familiarity with digital cameras or smartphone photography
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset
- Ability to work independently and take initiative in a dynamic environment
What we offer our Interns
- A pay rate of $25/hour for undergraduate students
- Housing stipend of $350 per month
- Volunteer opportunity or group activity.
- Breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily for a minimal charge from our Troy cafeteria
This position is located at the Troy, MI office and has a hybrid schedule. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are in-office days. Therefore, the Foundation highly encourages applications from local metro-Detroit university students and students who will be local to the metro-Detroit area over the summer.
The application deadline for this position is Sunday, January 4, 2026 at midnight EST. Please attach a cover letter for consideration for this position. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Kresge is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
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