Communications and Development Intern

Communications and Development Intern

Title: Communications and Development Intern

Supervisor: Director of Communications

Location: New York, NY

Internship Type: Paid ($23/hr)

Hours: Approximately 20 hours/week (some in-person hours)

CitizensNYC is seeking a talented Communications and Development Intern to join our team. If you are passionate about helping New Yorkers come together and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods, highly organized and detail oriented, and looking to build experience in the social impact sector, we'd like to talk to you.

In this role, you’ll have the chance to directly contribute to our communications by creating content that tells the story of grassroots leadership across NYC, while also supporting our fundraising efforts through careful data management and donor engagement.

This is an internship position for up to 20 hours per week, at a rate of $23 / hour. Hours can be flexible, though in-person office work is encouraged on Tuesdays and Thursdays at our Harlem office location.

About CitizensNYC

CitizensNYC has spent 50 years proving a simple truth: the people best equipped to solve problems in their neighborhoods are the people who live there. We fuel that grassroots power by providing microgrants and hands-on capacity-building support to community leaders, volunteer groups, and small organizations on the frontlines of change. From fighting food insecurity to building climate resilience, we back New Yorkers tackling the biggest challenges of our time—block by block, neighbor to neighbor.

If you’re looking to sharpen your communications and fundraising skills while contributing to real, on-the-ground impact, this internship puts you at the center of community-led change in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

About the Role

The Communications and Development Intern will work closely with the Director of Communications, Development Associate, and VP of Development. This role is designed to give exposure to nonprofit communications and fundraising while making a real contribution to CitizensNYC’s work.

We’re looking for someone who is organized, curious, and eager to learn. You’ll take on a mix of writing, research, data management, and event support—all while helping us tell the story of New Yorkers leading change in their communities. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience with nonprofit storytelling, learn how to craft compelling appeals to donors and supporters, and build practical skills in managing communications and fundraising systems.

Key Responsibilities

Communications

• Support social media content creation and story gathering, including conducting interviews with grantee partners and drafting posts or features
• Assist with data management for communications, including maintaining email lists, de-duplicating contacts, and segmenting audiences in preparation for migration to Mailchimp
• Conduct research on tools, platforms, and best practices to inform and improve communications strategy and content organization
• Help build and refine a comprehensive press list for outreach and media engagement
• Contribute to website expansion efforts by developing proficiency in WordPress and assisting with content updates and functionality enhancements

Development

• Maintain, update, and analyze development information in Salesforce database
• Assist with preparation for donor meetings and site visits, including by creating briefing documents with background research
• Research prospective institutional and individual funding sources
• Provide support for fundraising events, ranging from major gala events to small cultivation events

Qualifications

• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with great attention to detail.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Salesforce and Mailchimp a plus.
• Experience using AI supported research
• A proactive mindset—willing to take initiative, learn new tools, and contribute ideas.

Internship Details

• Hours: Approximately 20 hours/week, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm). Schedule can be flexible within those hours.
• In Person Work Hours: The intern is encouraged to be present in our offices with staff on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Compensation: $23/hour.