Job description
About NORD: The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is the leading independent nonprofit organization representing individuals and families affected by rare diseases. At NORD, philanthropy is about more than fundraising. It is about building community, elevating voices, and showing up when people need support the most.
This internship is designed for someone who believes in causes, community, and connection and wants hands-on experience helping people come together around something meaningful.
The Opportunity: The Philanthropy & Awareness Intern will support NORD's individual giving and community fundraising efforts, helping inspire generosity, elevate awareness, and strengthen engagement across the rare disease community.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys organizing, storytelling, and bringing people together for a cause. You will work closely with NORD's Philanthropy team and collaborate with colleagues in marketing and community engagement, gaining real-world experience in how nonprofit organizations build momentum, pride, and impact. The skills you develop here — from communication and relationship management to data literacy and digital strategy — are transferable across industries and will strengthen your professional foundation no matter where your career takes you.
This is an unpaid internship with a flexible schedule, lasting from May-December 2026 with flexibility to adjust start and end date based on student availability.
What You Will Do
Support Running for Rare, NORD's national peer-to-peer fundraising program, and help celebrate fundraisers participating in iconic races such as the New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon, and other national events gaining exposure to large-scale event fundraising and building project coordination and participant engagement skills valued across nonprofit, marketing, and event management careersHelp amplify runner and fundraiser stories through social media and campaign messaging, developing your storytelling, copywriting, and digital communications skills as you learn how authentic narratives inspire people to give and get involvedSupport individual giving and monthly giving campaigns, gaining hands-on experience with donor-centered communication and building relationship management and written communication skills as you learn how long-term fundraising communities are formed through trust and consistencySupport Streaming for Rare by engaging gamers, streamers, and digital creators who raise funds and awareness through livestreams and online communities, gaining experience in digital community engagement and online campaign strategy — a growing and highly marketable skillsetHelp identify development and outreach opportunities by learning how to use data and insights to support fundraising decisions, building foundational analytical thinking and impact reporting skills that translate into roles across strategy, business, and program managementBuild hands-on familiarity with nonprofit fundraising and CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Classy, Double the Donation, and FreeWill gaining technical fluency in industry-leading tools that are recognized and valued by employers across the nonprofit sector and beyondContribute to donor stewardship and gratitude efforts, including thank-you messaging and meaningful engagement touchpoints, developing professional relationship-building and client communication skills grounded in best practices in donor careSupport awareness-driven fundraising campaigns by helping prepare content, messaging, and materials that encourage participation, sharing, and generosity strengthening your content development and campaign coordination abilitiesAssist with basic campaign tracking and reporting, learning how participation and engagement data connect to real-world impact and building your comfort with data-informed decision makingParticipate in special projects and initiatives, with opportunities to take ownership of select tasks or campaign elements from start to finish developing initiative, accountability, and strategic thinking with guidance and mentorship along the wayWho This Is For
Students or recent graduates with an interest in philanthropy, nonprofit work, community engagement, marketing, or social impactSomeone who has participated in philanthropic or service-based organizations and enjoys rallying people around a causeA strong communicator who is organized, dependable, and thoughtfulSomeone who enjoys working behind the scenes to help big moments come togetherA self-starter who is comfortable working remotely and collaborativelyWhat You Will Gain
Hands-on experience in nonprofit philanthropy and individual givingExposure to peer-to-peer fundraising, monthly giving, and matching gift programsTransferable skills in communication, storytelling, relationship management, digital engagement, data analysis, and project coordination that apply across industriesTechnical experience with platforms including Salesforce, Classy, Double the Donation, and FreeWill and other tools recognized by employers across the sectorReal contributions you can speak to confidently on your resume and in interviewsExperience collaborating across philanthropy, marketing, and community teamsMentorship from experienced philanthropy professionalsA deeper connection to a mission that truly mattersWorking Conditions
This is a U.S.-based, fully remote, unpaid internship with a flexible structure and meaningful responsibility. Interns will participate in virtual meetings and collaborative work during standard business hours and will be supported through mentorship and regular check-ins.
We expect the internship to last from May-December 2026 with flexibility to adjust start and end date based on student availability.
To Apply
Interested candidates should send their resume and a brief summary of their interest to NORD Human Resources at talent@rarediseases.org.
Prepare your application
Use the description above to assess your fit for National Organization for Rare Disorders. This checklist is guidance from Resumize, rather than additional requirements from the employer. Imported listings can be shortened or change after collection, so confirm the complete description and current availability before sending an application.
Match requirements to evidence
Identify the responsibilities and skills the employer explicitly names. For each important requirement, choose one example from your work, education, training, or projects. Explain what you did, how you did it, and what changed as a result. Include a measurable outcome when you can support it. If you lack a requirement, describe related experience accurately instead of adding an unfamiliar skill to your resume.
Put the most relevant examples near the top of your resume. Keep job titles, dates, qualifications, and contact details consistent across your application materials. Use the employer’s terminology when it describes your experience accurately; a copied list of keywords does not explain your contribution. A short, specific bullet is easier to review than a paragraph that mixes several unrelated duties.
Check the working arrangement
Confirm the location, schedule, employment type, and any eligibility requirements on the employer’s site. A remote label does not establish worldwide eligibility or flexible hours. If compensation, benefits, equipment, travel, or contract duration are missing from this listing, write down your questions for the recruiter. Do not assume details from another opening at the same company apply to this role.
Review before submitting
Follow the employer’s requested file format and application instructions. Open your exported resume and check that its text is selectable, its sections read in order, and its links work. Proofread names, dates, and contact information. Share confidential work samples only when you have permission, and use an anonymized example when necessary.
Submit through a trusted employer or recruiting destination. If the original listing has disappeared, search the employer’s careers page for the title rather than assuming the vacancy remains open. Save the application date, job reference, and the version of your resume you sent. Those details help you prepare for a later conversation and avoid submitting conflicting information through several job boards.
Review your resume for writing and readability feedback, or browse other openings if this opportunity is unavailable.