Fall 2026 Intern at International Rescue Committee (IRC): Eligibility, Benefits, Requirements and How to Apply

The Fall 2026 Intern at International Rescue Committee (IRC) provides an opportunity for students and aspiring humanitarian professionals to gain practical experience in volunteer development, community engagement, donor relations and nonprofit operations. The IRC Volunteer Development Intern position offers hands-on experience supporting refugee and humanitarian programmes in the United States.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is offering the Volunteer Development Intern (Fall 2026) opportunity for individuals interested in gaining experience within the humanitarian and nonprofit sector.

The IRC supports people affected by conflict and disasters by providing assistance in areas including health, education, economic support, infrastructure and refugee services. The organisation operates programmes across more than 50 countries and supports refugees resettling in communities across the United States.

The Fall 2026 IRC Internship is based in Seattle, Washington, and focuses on supporting the Development Team in improving volunteer engagement, donor relationship management, data organisation and community outreach activities.

Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity. However, it may qualify for academic credit depending on the policies and requirements of the applicant’s educational institution.

About the IRC Volunteer Development Internship

The Volunteer Development Intern will work with the IRC Seattle Development Team, which plays an important role in securing community support and funding for humanitarian programmes.

The intern will contribute to activities that strengthen volunteer recruitment, improve volunteer data management, maintain donor information and support fundraising-related initiatives.

This opportunity is suitable for students and early-career professionals interested in:

Humanitarian work.
Nonprofit management.
Community engagement.
Volunteer coordination.
Fundraising and development.
Refugee support programmes.
Administration and data management.

Internship Responsibilities and Tasks

The selected intern will support several areas of volunteer development and community engagement.

Key responsibilities include:

Volunteer Recruitment and Support

The intern will assist with:

Interviewing prospective volunteers.
Supporting volunteer onboarding processes.
Responding to volunteer questions and communication needs.
Helping improve volunteer engagement activities.

Data Management and Reporting

The intern will contribute to administrative and data-related tasks, including:

Processing monthly Salesforce reports of volunteer hours.
Ensuring volunteer time logs are submitted accurately and on schedule.
Maintaining complete volunteer and donor records.
Supporting database management activities.

Donor and Community Engagement

The intern will help strengthen relationships with community supporters through:

Maintaining prospective donor records.
Supporting employer appreciation activities.
Preparing handwritten thank-you notes.
Assisting with social media communication.
Supporting communication with volunteers and potential volunteers.

Donation Drive Support

The intern may also assist with:

Managing in-kind donation drives.
Creating community postings.
Supporting outreach activities within local communities.

Location and Work Schedule

The IRC Volunteer Development Intern Fall 2026 position is based in:

Seattle, Washington, USA

The internship follows a hybrid work arrangement:

Remote work options available.
IRC office-based activities at the Seattle location.

The expected time commitment is:

10–12 hours per week.
During IRC office hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
Minimum commitment of three months.
Regular schedule required.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants interested in the IRC internship should demonstrate strong communication abilities, organisational skills and an interest in humanitarian work.

Candidates should have:

Strong intercultural communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling volunteer and donor information.
Strong professional communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Interest in learning new software systems.
Basic computer skills.

Required Skills and Qualifications

The IRC is seeking candidates with skills in:

Communication Skills

Applicants should be able to:

Communicate effectively in English.
Build positive relationships with volunteers, donors and community members.
Work respectfully across different cultures and backgrounds.

Technical Skills

Candidates should have:

Familiarity with Windows operating systems.
Basic knowledge of word processing.
Email communication skills.
Data entry experience.
Willingness to learn new digital tools and software.

Professional Skills

Successful applicants should demonstrate:

Reliability.
Attention to detail.
Time management skills.
Ability to handle sensitive information.
Commitment to IRC workplace policies.

Internship Benefits and Learning Opportunities

Although the position is unpaid, the IRC Volunteer Development Internship provides valuable professional development opportunities.

Benefits include:

Practical experience with an international humanitarian organisation.
Exposure to nonprofit development operations.
Experience with volunteer management systems.
Opportunity to strengthen administrative and communication skills.
Potential academic credit depending on institutional requirements.
Experience supporting refugee and community programmes.

The internship can help students and graduates build experience relevant to careers in humanitarian aid, international development, nonprofit management and community engagement.

Who Should Apply?

The opportunity is suitable for:

University students seeking internship experience.
Recent graduates interested in humanitarian careers.
Individuals interested in nonprofit development.
Candidates looking to gain volunteer coordination experience.
People interested in refugee support and community programmes.

Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and improving social impact initiatives.

How to Apply for the IRC Fall 2026 Internship

Interested candidates should apply by submitting the required application materials directly to the IRC.

Applicants should provide:

A resume or CV.
A statement of interest or cover letter.
Details explaining how the internship aligns with their previous experience and future career goals.

Applications should include the position title in the subject line.

Candidates should send their application materials to:

Aaron.Nilson@Rescue.org

Applicants are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in:

Volunteer coordination.
Administration.
Community engagement.
Communication.
Data management.
Nonprofit or humanitarian activities.

Important Information About the Opportunity

Internship Title: Volunteer Development Intern (Fall 2026)
Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Duration: Minimum three months
Working Hours: 10–12 hours per week
Compensation: Unpaid (may qualify for academic credit)
Department: Development Team

Final Summary

The Fall 2026 Intern at International Rescue Committee (IRC) offers students and aspiring humanitarian professionals an opportunity to gain practical experience supporting volunteer engagement, donor management and community development activities.

Through this internship, participants will develop professional skills in communication, administration, data management and nonprofit operations while contributing to IRC’s mission of supporting refugees and people affected by crises.

Interested applicants should prepare a strong CV and statement of interest explaining their motivation and submit their application materials to the IRC for consideration.

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