SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: 

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. 

Location: 

Hybrid, Turlock Office

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.