2026 Dan Broun Internship

MDC•Durham, NC

27d•$18•Hybrid

About The Position

The MDC Rural Prosperity and Investment team seeks an advanced undergraduate or graduate-level student to serve as a Program Associate in the Dan Broun Internship program. About MDC Rural Prosperity and Investment The MDC Rural Prosperity and Investment team focuses on amplifying the voice, capacity, and power of rural communities in the south by strengthening and networking their efforts towards equitable systems and policy change. Grounded in the values of PEOPLE, POWER, PROGRESS, and PARTNERSHIP, we provide an array of community-based and community-led capacity-building services including facilitation, training, coaching, relationship brokering, conflict management, and resource development. MDC is a nonprofit organization based in Durham, N.C., focused on shaping a South where all people thrive. Learn more at MDCinc.org. About the Program Associate The Program Associate role is designed as a structured, year-long learning experience designed to build essential competencies in rural community development and capacity-building. Through hands-on project-based work, mentorship, and intentional professional development, all Program Associates will develop transferable skills for their careers in 6 core competency areas: Equitable community engagement principles Rural capacity building theory, policy, and practice Nonprofit organizational development Facilitation and capacity-building tools Communication with diverse audiences Interprofessional practice The goal of the Program Associate is to strengthen their understanding of rural community-driven, capacity-building services and develop additional skills by supporting MDC Rural Prosperity and Investment staff, community partners, and other constituents. Under the supervision of a Partnership Manager, the Program Associate will support a specific location or issue area to be determined in consultation with the chosen candidate.

Requirements

Experience in community outreach, research, and/or program evaluation.
Excellent oral and written skills to communicate with a variety of audiences.
A sincere curiosity about rural communities and willingness to explore issues of inclusion, power, privilege, and diversity.
Ability to think creatively and collaboratively, while also taking independent initiative; an exceptional commitment to personal integrity, professionalism, and excellence.
Skilled in detail-oriented customer service and responsive to community and staff needs.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, virtual meeting applications, and internet research.

Nice To Haves

Skills in bilingual (English and Spanish) speaking, writing, etc. are highly desired, but not required.
There is a strong preference for candidates in or connected to eastern or western North Carolina.
Candidates should be available to travel into a community once a month.

Responsibilities

Assisting with meeting planning, coordination, facilitation, and notetaking.
Community outreach and communications.
Drafting logic models, asset maps, project management tools, and other products.
Supporting policy change efforts by researching and summarizing public policy.
Identifying and developing projects that further the goals of a given program.
Attending meetings convened by partner organizations.
Other administrative tasks (no more than 10%).