Membership Communications & Engagement Intern

National Organization f•Washington, DC

3d•Remote

About The Position

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is the leading independent nonprofit organization representing individuals and families affected by rare diseases. At NORD, membership is about more than benefits — it is about building a connected, informed, and engaged community of patient organizations working together to create impact. This internship is designed for someone who is interested in community engagement, digital communications, and how thoughtful content can strengthen connections across a national network. The Membership Communications & Engagement Intern will play a key role in supporting and enhancing how NORD connects with its member organizations, with a primary focus on the Member Leaders Facebook group and the member newsletter. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys understanding what engages an audience, creating meaningful content, and using data to improve communication strategies. You will work closely with the Membership team to strengthen engagement, elevate member voices, and ensure communications are relevant, timely, and valuable. The skills you develop — from content creation and audience engagement to performance analysis and communication strategy — are highly transferable across nonprofit, marketing, and communications careers. This is an unpaid internship with a flexible schedule, lasting from May-December 2026. Though there is flexibility in the start and end date, a weekly 16-20 hour commitment is required during the summer. Availability during the fall semester is possible based on academic schedule and program needs.

Requirements

Students currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate program
Students interested in communications, marketing, nonprofit work, or community engagement
Someone who enjoys social media, writing, and understanding what resonates with an audience
A strong communicator who is organized, thoughtful, and detail-oriented
Someone who enjoys building community and fostering meaningful connections
A self-starter comfortable working remotely and managing ongoing projects
Requires reliable internet access.

Responsibilities

Monitor and analyze engagement within the NORD Member Leaders Facebook group, identifying trends in participation, content performance, and member interaction
Recommend and implement strategies to increase engagement, including post timing, content themes, discussion prompts, and member-driven conversations
Draft and schedule Facebook group content that encourages peer-to-peer sharing, collaboration, and knowledge exchange
Support the development and refinement of the bi-monthly member newsletter, including drafting content, organizing sections, and ensuring clarity and consistency in messaging
Analyze newsletter performance (open rates, click-through rates, engagement trends) and recommend improvements to content and structure
Help identify and elevate member stories, insights, and resources that can be featured in communications
Ensure alignment between Facebook group content, newsletter, and portal messaging to create a cohesive member experience
Assist in preparing select member-facing content that may be shared with other internal teams for broader visibility
Track and report on engagement metrics, building skills in data-informed communication strategy
Participate in special projects and initiatives, with opportunities to take ownership of specific communications efforts