Development and Communications Intern
Illinois Humanities
Status: Part Time / Non-exempt
Reports to: Manager of Marketing and Communications
Location: Chicagoland area
Illinois Humanities, the Illinois partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration.
For more information, visit www.ILhumanities.org
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Development amp; Communications Intern will work closely with the Development and Communications Department to assist in the execution of our Public Humanities Awards fundraiser, brand messaging, and day-to-day department activities. Interns will gain hands-on experience in fundraising, social media management, marketing research, and special events while gaining an understanding of how a non-profit organization runs.
The internship, which will pay $20/hour, will run from approximately May 2026 through November 2026, and requires 15 -18 hours per week. Hours will be flexible based on the intern’s availability. This position will be hybrid with one to two days in person at our Chicago office.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support the Public Humanities Awards on September 23, 2026, in Chicago. Activities may include managing event logistics, guest services, and production
- Assist with assembly and mailings related to special events/and campaigns, including data input and clean-up in Raiser’s Edge
- Draft and proofread professional correspondence
- Contribute to newsletters, blog posts, and other storytelling assets
- Research donors, foundations, audience personas, grants, best practices, or other topics as needed
- Solicit donations such as books, raffle items, and other goods and services related to the Public Humanities Awards
- Provide other administrative support to the Development and Communications team
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Interest in the humanities, arts, culture, and/or non-profit fields
- Strong communication skills
- Research, writing, editing and proof-reading skills
- Self-motivated and organized
- Computer savvy and proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud or similar professional design programs
- Experience with social media content creation and/or copywriting
- Knowledge of website content‑management systems (CMS) is a plus but not required.
- Experience with a donor database a plus, but not required
- Able to work in-person at Illinois Humanities’ Public Humanities Awards on September 23, 2026, in Chicago
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
The skills and experience needed to be successful in this job exist on a spectrum. Highly qualified and desirable internship candidates may not meet 100% of the skills and experience included in this description. We encourage all who are interested in this position to apply.
WHAT WE ARE OFFERING:
- The hourly pay for this internship is $20
- The position requires 15-18 hours per week in a hybrid work environment
- The position will run from May through November, 2026
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Step one: All submissions will be reviewed, and the initial candidate pool will be formed after phone screenings. Not all submissions will make it into the candidate pool.
Step two: Candidates in the pool will take part in an interview with members of the Illinois Humanities Team via Zoom or in-person.
Step three: There may be additional rounds of interviews with the final candidates. Final candidates may be asked to provide additional information. Selection and placement of the final candidate will occur after these final rounds of interviews. Placement for this position is anticipated to occur in May, 2026. Once the final candidate has accepted their offer of employment, all other applicants will be notified of their status.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Our Chicago Loop office is accessible. Work at off-site locations is required and those may not be fully accessible. Evening and weekend work is sometimes required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employees are regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds.
Illinois Humanities' Chicago office is currently operating in a hybrid work environment with required in-office days and optional remote workdays each week.
COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY:
To support public health efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19, Illinois Humanities has adopted a policy that requires all staff and interns receive a complete COVID-19 vaccine based on the CDC’s current definition, which is subject to change. Employees must submit a full Record of COVID-19 Vaccination or have a fully signed Reasonable Exception approval by date of hire.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Illinois Humanities is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. It does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Illinois Humanities is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.
To Apply: Please upload a resume and brief personal statement, in the form of a cover letter, of no more than 250 words that communicates why you are interested in the internship, and what unique skills and/or experience you will bring to the role.
Please submit this application to the "Work With Us" page or through the relevant job website. Application review will begin in May 2026, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled
