Public Relations Intern Jobs in Springfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

Childhood Cancer Society (CCS) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting families battling pediatric cancer both financially and emotionally. Through fundraising events, wish-grant experiences, and strategic partnerships, CCS delivers meaningful, life-changing moments to children and families when they need it most, led by our official spokes-bear, Adventure Ted.

We are currently preparing for two major initiatives:

• A high-level charity golf outing at Trump National Golf Club

• An annual fundraising dinner event with the Mayor of Saddle River, NJ

Role Overview

We are assembling a select group of individuals to join the Adventure Ted Partnerships & Events Council, a performance-driven team responsible for driving outreach, partnerships, and community engagement tied to CCS’s flagship events.

Members of this council will work directly with the Founder and Chief Media Officer, contributing to real-time outreach efforts, sponsor development, and event execution.

This is not a traditional internship. This is a hands-on, execution-focused role centered on ownership, communication, and results.

Core Responsibilities

Outreach & Partnerships (Primary Focus)

• Lead outreach via phone, email, and in-person communication to:

• Local businesses and brands for sponsorships

• Restaurants, venues, and service providers for auction items and collaborations

• Build and maintain relationships through consistent follow-up

• Represent CCS professionally across all external communications

Event Execution (Golf Outing + Fundraising Dinner)

• Support outreach and coordination tied to CCS’s flagship events

• Assist in securing sponsor participation and partner involvement

• Help manage confirmations, communication, and relationship tracking

Coordination & Collaboration

• Work alongside Communications and Creative teams to align outreach with event strategy

• Contribute ideas for new partnerships and engagement opportunities

• Participate in structured team execution sessions and planning discussions

What Makes This Different

• Direct collaboration with the Founder and executive leadership

• Exposure to high-level events, sponsors, and real-world partnerships

• Real responsibility and ownership, not task-based assignments

• A selective, performance-based environment focused on execution

• Opportunity to earn elevated roles based on results

Growth & Advancement Opportunities

Top-performing interns may be invited to continue beyond the initial term as Associates within the organization.

Select individuals may also be considered for the Adventure Ted Brand Ambassador program, a paid, performance-based opportunity tied to revenue-generating initiatives and partnerships.

Advancement is based on execution, consistency, and demonstrated ability to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s growth.

Internship Eligibility

This role is eligible for internship credit in Communications, Social Media, Marketing, and Media-related programs, depending on your school’s requirements. We are happy to work with accepted candidates to complete any necessary documentation.

Ideal Candidate

• Confident communicator, comfortable with outreach and relationship-building

• Self-starter who takes initiative and follows through

• Interested in partnerships, business development, social media, or event strategy

• Motivated by ownership and real-world experience

• Passionate about contributing to meaningful, mission-driven work

Structure & Expectations

• Approximately 15 to 20 hours per week

• Mandatory weekly meetings:

• Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM EST

• Includes:

  • C-suite alignment meeting (priorities and direction)

  • Execution session (live work and output)

• All team members are expected to submit structured updates in advance via Discord

• This is a performance-based role, continued participation is tied to consistency and execution