Marketing & Communications Internship
About Groundswell
Groundswell Community Project is the first organization to provide accredited training in trauma informed surf therapy modalities and curriculums supporting both clinicians, surf coaches, and water folx to have the mental health tools, curriculums, research, and support to increase access to research-based trauma informed surf therapy. Founded in 2016, Groundswell exists to break down barriers in the mental health and surf worlds by centering trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and collective liberation.
What began as one circle of nine women on the shoreline has grown into a global movement — welcoming over 3,000 participants from 15+ countries. Our work is rooted in the belief that healing is a radical act of reclamation—and that self love, sea love, and sisterhood are pathways to justice and joy.
About the Internship
The Marketing & Communications Internship is an unpaid, part time internship designed for aspiring storytellers, digital creators, and changemakers interested in social impact work. This role is ideal for someone who wants to sharpen their skills in digital media, community engagement, and mission-driven communications.
You’ll gain hands-on experience leading key communications projects, including managing our social media platforms, creating campaign content, producing newsletters, and supporting our upcoming rebrand.
This internship is a launchpad into roles like Marketing Coordinator, Digital Content Creator, or Nonprofit Communications Associate. You’ll receive mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and job readiness support to grow into a purpose-driven career.
What You’ll Learn & Do
You’ll join a team that’s creative, collaborative, and all about making waves. Depending on your skills and interests, you could support:
Social Media Strategy + Community Engagement
- Take the lead on posting on Groundswell’s Instagram (10k+ followers, 40k+ monthly engagements)
- Plan and schedule weekly and monthly content that promotes programs, events, and education around surf and somatic therapy
- Draft copy, design graphics (using Canva), and engage with our online community
- Co-create a social media content calendar that aligns with ongoing campaigns and seasonal themes
- Bring your creativity to reels, stories, and collaborations
Newsletter Creation + Email Marketing
- Write, design, and send our monthly newsletters using MailChimp
- Customize content for multiple audiences: general community, volunteers, clinicians, and community partners
- Collaborate with the team to highlight upcoming events, impact stories, and educational resources
Brand Refresh + Digital Updates
- Support our rebranding efforts across all digital platforms
- Help update our website (Squarespace) and align social profiles with new visual identity and messaging
- Assist in developing and launching digital campaigns to celebrate and promote our rebrand
Bonus Learning Opportunities
Depending on your interests and capacity, you may also explore:
- Storytelling through blog writing or video content
- Designing communications materials for events or fundraisers
- Supporting impact reports or donor communications
What You’ll Get
- Nonprofit internship experience
- Resume-building skills in nonprofit operations and admin systems
- Exposure to mission-driven work in mental health and community healing
- Mentorship from staff doing work rooted in healing, justice, and joy
- Certification of completion and letters of recommendation for job/grad school apps
- Access to trauma-informed and leadership training
Ideal Candidate
- Are 18–24 years old and curious about how nonprofits work
- Love organizing, creating, storytelling, or bringing people together
- Want to explore careers in healing, social justice, or community leadership
- Value equity, inclusion, and working in spaces that welcome all of you
- Don’t need to be an “expert”—just come with heart, motivation, and a willingness to learn
How To Apply
Send a resume and a short note about why you’re interested in this internship. This can be a written letter, a short video, voice note, or any format that reflects your style.
Email: shannon@groundswellcommunity.org
Subject Line: Marketing & Communications Internship 2025: [Your Name]