Strategic Communications Intern

Strategic Communications Intern

Department:  Strategic Communications
Location: Indianapolis, USA
Duration: May 12 – Aug. 6, 2026
Compensation: $18-$21 per hour for student enrolled in an undergraduate program
$20-$24 per hour for students enrolled in a graduate program or a recent graduate
Schedule:  Work hours (40 hours/week); typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., scheduled with supervisor.
Intern works from the Bottleworks District office three days a week.

Note: Upload cover letter, resume, and three writing samples in a single PDF file.

Purpose

The communications intern will participate in both in-person and virtual Strategic Communications team discussions and meet individually with team members to receive and report on assignments, contributing to an experienced team that enhances the foundation’s leadership and effectiveness in driving social change for the benefit of individuals and society. We commission audience, public narrative, and message-framing research that informs a unique approach in philanthropy to influence the actions and beliefs of change agents. We target narrow, influential audiences to shift long-term perspectives through compelling stories. We educate a broader public by supporting independent journalism that shapes public opinion and informs the reporting of other journalists. We measure our effectiveness by monitoring reach, engagement, and shifts in attitudes and beliefs, discourse, and national news coverage.

Responsibilities

The intern will assist team members with:

• Content Creation: Writing and editing opinion pieces, speeches, talking points, and web pages. Overseeing advertising copy. Creating, reviewing, and editing posts for digital and social media. Assisting with video production, from shooting 4K video on an iPhone to participating in video production in a state-of-the-art, on-site studio. Incorporating students’ voices in our storytelling through interviews.
• Digital Strategy: Overseeing digital and social outreach promotions initiated internally and campaigns run by full-service marketing and communications firms. Increasing the depth and breadth of our e-newsletters.
• Grantmaking: Assisting with multi-year grants supporting the work of public and nonprofit newsrooms nationally and regionally and through journalism training.
• Media Outreach: Handling media outreach, including story pitching and related research for C-suite executives, crisis response preparation, responding to journalists’ inquiries, and overseeing media training. Writing news releases and reviewing third-party reports completed with Lumina’s financial support.

The intern will create, co-create, lead, and manage various projects, emphasizing a core set of tasks that can be initiated and completed within 12 weeks. Our work spans the foundation, bringing interns into contact with diverse colleagues in state and federal policy, programmatic strategy involving community colleges, public colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions, such as historically Black colleges. We also support Lumina’s research, evaluation, data analysis, and impact investing efforts.

Education and experience

• A student enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D.-level program or a recent college graduate.
• Preference will be given to applicants with majors in communication, broadcasting, digital media, English, journalism, marketing, or public relations.
• With a cover letter and resume, please submit three lightly edited writing samples drafted by you without human or AI assistance. Only a complete application, with a cover letter, resume, and up to three writing samples, will be considered. Please upload these as a single PDF in the order listed.

Qualifications

• Continuous access to high-speed internet when working remotely.
• A commitment to removing barriers to learning after high school and ending unjust educational outcomes related to income, race, ethnicity, and geography.

• Strong communication, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Work environment and physical demands

• Work is performed in an office environment, mostly sedentary.
• Must be able to use the technology necessary to monitor news media, track outreach, manage social campaigns, and produce high-quality video content.
• Travel occurs infrequently but could include overnight stays to support external meetings and events.

About Lumina Foundation

Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Our goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and for success in a global economy. Lumina is among the nation’s largest private foundations, with an endowment exceeding $1.6 billion and offices in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. Lumina has a passionate and committed staff who value candor, collaboration, and connection. Learn more about our core values.