Global Strategic Partnerships Intern

Position Title:  Global Strategic Partnerships – Intern 2025 

Location: Washington DC (hybrid, 2 days a week in the office)        

Department: Global Strategic Partnerships

Reports to : Sr. Director, Global Strategic Partnerships-World Games

Hourly Range for US Based Staff: $18/hour

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Organization Summary:

Founded in 1968 , Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.

Position Summary:

The Global Strategic Partnerships intern will play a crucial role in supporting the efforts of Special Olympics International to expand partnerships, cultivate donor relationships, and identify strategic growth opportunities. This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience in non-profit business development, while contributing to a cause that makes a lasting impact on communities around the world.

Primary Responsibilities:

The intern will assist in various tasks related to business development, including but not limited to:

• Market Research: Conduct research to identify potential corporate sponsors, partners, and donors. Analyze industry trends and generate report(s) to support strategic decision-making.
• Outreach Support: Assist in drafting outreach materials, presentations, and proposals to engage prospective partners and donors.
• Database Management: Update and maintain detailed records of partnership activities, donor information, and campaign progress using Salesforce or other CRM platforms.
• Special Projects: Assist with projects related to departmental operations and events such as Gaming for Inclusion.
• Administrative Assistance: Support the Business Development team with scheduling, meeting preparation, and general administrative tasks.

Required Qualifications:

Ideal candidates for the Strategic Business Development Internship should possess the following qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Office Suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Knowledge of CRM systems such as Salesforce is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct detailed research and analyze data effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Passion for non-profit work and an understanding of Special Olympics’ mission.

Desired Qualifications: 

Preferred Skills

While not mandatory, the following skills will enhance your candidacy:

• Experience working in a non-profit or corporate setting.
• Prior involvement in fundraising or marketing campaigns.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and digital marketing strategies.
• Multilingual abilities, especially in widely spoken languages such as Spanish, French, or Mandarin.

Learning Objectives and Benefits

This internship is designed to provide educational opportunities and practical experience that align with the professional aspirations of the intern. By the end of this internship, the intern will:

• Gain hands-on experience in business development strategy and fundraising strategies for a nonprofit.
• Develop networking skills by interacting with corporate representatives, donors, and community partners.
• Enhance research and analytical abilities while contributing to impactful projects.
• Learn about the operations of a global non-profit organization.
• Make tangible contributions to advancing inclusion and empowerment for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Additionally, interns will receive a letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the program and may qualify for college credit, depending on their academic institution.

Special Olympics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

**Special Olympics is an E-Verify Employer**