Communications Intern

About the Foundation

Trellis Foundation is a grant-making public charitable organization dedicated to improving postsecondary attainment for low-income students and students of color in Texas. Our approach is highly collaborative and prioritizes catalytic investments, focused on changing or informing change to policy, practice, and systems.

Position Overview

The Communications Intern will assist with Trellis Foundation’s day-to-day external communications activities and special communications projects. This role is ideal for an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field. The intern will gain hands-on experience in various aspects of nonprofit communications, including content creation and message development.

Key Responsibilities

• Social Media Management: Assist in managing and growing the Foundation’s presence on LinkedIn.
• Content Creation: Develop and design content for email marketing, newsletters, blog posts, and other communication materials.
• Messaging: Audit website language and help develop a style guide.
• Event Planning: Help track, plan, promote, and coordinate events, including creating promotional materials, helping with logistics, and managing event communications.
• Training: Help design and implement training for team members on brand compliance, using social media, media relations, blog writing, and other topics. 
• Other administrative duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Candidates must reside in Texas.
• Enrollment in an accredited college or university in an undergraduate program in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field for both the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters. The selected candidate will be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to visit our offices in Round Rock, Texas, as often as twice a month.
• Experience in copyediting or critiquing writing.  
• Basic graphic design skills.
• Experience with CRMs or email marketing.
• Experience with using AI and/or creating AI agents.

Learning Opportunities

• Gain practical experience in nonprofit communications and marketing.
• Develop skills in social media management, content creation, and message development.
• Learn about the inner workings of a nonprofit foundation.

Supervision

The Communications Intern will report to the Strategic Learning Officer.

Duration and Hours

This part-time position requires approximately 15-20 hours per week, with flexible hours. It is expected that most of the Intern’s work hours will be scheduled during regular business hours to enable collaboration and communication with the Foundation team. Start date and term length are flexible but are expected to include the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters, with a flexible start date in mid to late August 2026.

Compensation:

This is a hybrid, non-exempt position with an hourly rate of $20/hr. If your academic institution allows you to receive course credit for internship experiences, you must coordinate credit requirements directly with your college or university and communicate to the Foundation any employer requirements your institution requires for course credit (such as completing supervisory assessments).

Application Process

Applications should be submitted via the online portal. Finalists will be asked to perform a timed writing exercise. The position will be open until filled.

Trellis Foundation values the perspective of students who have experienced barriers to accessing and completing postsecondary education, and we encourage applicants with such experiences to apply. The Foundation supports all interns and employees with reasonable accommodations.

Salary : $20