Current Positions

Internship

Title: Student Intern
Company: Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities
Location: Chicago, IL
Status:  Part-Time

Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities is a non-profit organization seeking energetic, self-starting college students to intern at SOC/SCC for the Fall 2023 and/or Spring of 2024. You will assist a small team in its efforts to increase the public’s awareness of the athletes’ capabilities and needs, and assist with its events, programs and fundraising efforts, such as the SOC/SCC Chicago Marathon Team and the Chicago Polar Plunge. You must be available to work the days leading up to and the weekend of March 2 & 3, 2024. 

Special Children’s Charities is the fundraising arm of Special Olympics Chicago and our mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults in Chicago with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.  Additionally, we produce our own programs which are enjoyed by Chicagoans with intellectual disabilities.  

By joining our team, you’ll have the rare opportunity to gain extensive hands-on experience relevant to today’s non-profit environment.  Interns will assist with a variety of projects in the following areas:

  • Finance
  • Programming
  • Marketing and communications
  • Development and fundraising
  • Non-profit administration

Responsibilities may include:

Assist with administrative, financial and accounting activities for the organization: 

  • Assist with financial, operational, and donor platform data entry and analysis
  • Support operation of the organization’s fundraising processes
  • Provide assistance to Director of Finance and Administration

 

Assist with program development for the organization:

  • Research new program initiatives designed for SOC/SCC constituents
  • Work with Program Manager to develop programs with providers
  • Prepare lists and communication inviting athletes to participate in programs or events
  • Provide registrants with event participation information 
  • Make sure program or class is successfully administered

 

Assist with marketing and communications for the organization:

  • Develop content for various e-newsletters, targeted e-marketing, video development, helping to maintain editorial calendar 
  • Market events including: planning, logistics, information sheets, event banners, day-of support  
  • Assist with creating content for social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) 

 

Assist with fundraising and development initiatives:

  • Attend community events to promote organizational goals and cultivate donors
  • Prepare communication to donors
  • Support program staff for special projects and initiatives
  • Enter and edit data in SCC/SOC database
  • Conduct prospect research and complete donor profiles
  • Assist with annual appeals including drafting letters, compiling prospect lists, and mailings 
  • Attend some athletic competitions and other programs of our athletes with intellectual disabilities
  • Assist with general office tasks as necessary

 

Qualifications and Requirements:

  • Excellent written and verbal skills, as well as ability to proofread and edit
  • Social Media Experience
  • Microsoft Office Skills (especially Excel and Word)
  • Graphic design skills highly desired
  • Ability to communicate with a variety of people by phone, email and in person
  • Ability to work independently 
  • A positive attitude with good organizational and people skills
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Attention to detail and accuracy is critical for this position.

This position is available as a paid internship that is located at the SCC/SOC office in the South Loop of Chicago.  You will be required to work an agreed-upon number of hours per week. An unpaid position may be available if necessitated by internship requirements or as negotiated.  Candidates must be enrolled in a college or university and should be enrolled in a program that would be enhanced by the experience gained through this internship.  Examples include but are not limited to: Marketing, Special Education and/or Special Recreation and Non-profit Management.  Work outside designated hours may be required occasionally.

Please provide a cover letter as well as a resume outlining previous work and school experience.  Please email scc@sochicago.org  with questions.  Deadline for applying is December 1, but applications will be reviewed and positions may be filled prior to the deadline. 

Your own transportation to the office and to events is required.