Strategic Partnerships Intern

Job Title:  Strategic Partnerships and Storytelling Intern 

Team: Development, the IRC in NorCal 

Location: Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, Turlock  

Length of service: Negotiable (3-6 months commitment preferred) 

Time zone: Any U.S. time zone; service hours can be flexible. 

Background 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. Here in Northern California, the IRC has welcomed nearly 80,000 people fleeing every major world crisis, from the Vietnam war to recent conflicts in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Burma, Syria, Somalia and beyond. Each year, our dedicated staff equip 7,500+ newcomers to overcome unique challenges, from finding housing, quality healthcare and employment to obtaining English skills, legal aid and educational opportunities. 

Position Overview 

The Strategic Partnerships and Storytelling Intern will support IRC Northern California’s efforts to strengthen services for survivors of trafficking by building community partnerships, securing in-kind goods and professional services, and expanding general operating support through local corporate and foundation outreach. This role directly contributes to ensuring survivors have access to critical resources such as housing support, legal services, mental health care, and economic empowerment programming. 

This position combines relationship-building, strategic research, and ethical storytelling to help sustain and grow anti-trafficking programming across the region. The intern will assist with outreach to local businesses and funders, support Letters of Inquiry and meeting preparation, and help build a regional client story bank. While a primary focus will be on elevating survivor voices, storytelling may also support other IRC programs, including economic empowerment, youth services, and community integration, to strengthen fundraising and community awareness efforts. 

The intern works closely with Development and Program teams and gains hands-on experience in nonprofit growth strategy, partnership development, and trauma-informed communications. 

Primary Responsibilities  

Community Partnerships & In-Kind Support 

Research and identify local businesses and service providers who can donate goods or professional services to support survivors of trafficking, including professional services, donated space, in-kind goods, third-party partners, and private funding sources 

 Draft outreach emails and meeting requests to engage prospective partners 

Support documentation and tracking of donated goods and services 

Help raise community awareness of anti-trafficking programming  

Business Development & General Operating Support 

Research local corporations and foundations aligned with IRC’s mission 

Assist in drafting Letters of Inquiry, LOIs, and introductory outreach communications 

Support scheduling and preparation for meetings with prospective funders and partners 

Develop briefing materials that communicate IRC NorCal’s local impact and funding priorities 

Track submissions, deadlines, and outcomes in Salesforce.  

Client Storytelling & Impact 

Conduct client interviews in partnership with program staff to gather strengths-based impact stories 

Draft compelling narratives for donor communications, community outreach, and potential local media engagement to increase awareness 

Develop, organize, and maintain a regional story bank categorized by program and theme 

Ensure all storytelling aligns with IRC consent, confidentiality, and trauma-informed standards 

Learning Objectives 

Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit development, community partnerships, and fundraising strategy 

 Develop professional skills in outreach, stakeholder engagement, and business development 

Strengthen interviewing and narrative writing abilities through ethical, strengths-based storytelling 

Learn how humanitarian organizations responsibly share client stories while protecting dignity and confidentiality 

Build research skills to identify funding and partnership opportunities 

Understand how diversified revenue and storytelling sustain programs serving refugees and survivors 

Requirements 

Strong interest in nonprofit development, journalism, communications, public policy, or social justice 

Passion for supporting refugees, immigrants, and survivors of trafficking 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

Strong interviewing skills or demonstrated interest in storytelling and narrative writing 

Strong research and organizational skills 

Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities 

Professional, ethical, and trauma-informed approach to client storytelling 

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 

Familiarity with Canva, social media platforms, or digital storytelling tools is a plus 

Working Environment 

Hybrid preferred, with occasional in-person meetings or community outreach events 

Must have reliable internet and a workspace conducive to professional communication. intern must use their own laptop/equipment. 

Weekly travel to office required. 

All positions are contingent upon clearing a background check at no cost to the applicant 

Compensation 

This is a paid internship to support first-generation students and can qualify for many university programs offering academic credit or other funding.  

 
Standard of Professional Conduct 

The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. 

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion 

The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures. 

Submit your resume and cover letter to the office you are interested in: 
Sacramento: GetInvolvedIRCSacramento@rescue.org | Turlock: GetInvolvedIRCTurlock@rescue.org 
Oakland: GetInvolvedIRCOakland@rescue.org | San Jose: GetInvolvedIRCSanJose@rescue.org 
 
Please Note: a formal application on the IRC job board will be required for consideration.