Strategic Initiatives Intern

About the Organization:

It is an exciting time at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) as we continue to undertake our mission. We know that creating long term solutions to food security requires more than meals. It requires education, training, and collaboration. We are seeking people with strong ideas and a passion to come together to address the complex interrelated issues of food security, poverty, and equity. We are expanding in multiple ways: providing food for today and addressing the root causes of hunger by partnering with organizations that provide critical services like job training programs, health care and education. Food has the power to transform lives and move everyone forward. Find out how on our website at capitalareafoodbank.org. Let us discuss how food is at the center of everyone's healthy life!

Description:

The Strategic Initiatives Intern will play a key support role in advancing the Capital Area Food Bank’s (CAFB) long-term innovation and systems change work, with a focus on expanding and enhancing the organization’s Food is Medicine (FIM) portfolio as well as other broader strategic priorities. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact initiatives that sit at the intersection of food security and healthcare innovation.

Reporting to the Strategic Initiatives Manager, the intern will assist with the research, planning, and coordination efforts behind several of the organization’s most forward-looking initiatives. The intern will support the development of Food is Medicine pitch materials by conducting research and creating compelling slide decks for use in conversations with healthcare stakeholders. They will also play a central role in supporting the early planning stages of a Food is Medicine convening including tasks related to content development, agenda design, attendee outreach, and internal coordination across departments.

The intern will contribute to the creation of the annual Hunger Report, a key research and communications product for the food bank. They will assist with data analysis and visualization, as well as with compiling and summarizing relevant external research for inclusion in the report. Additionally, the intern may be called on to support the early development of a new hunger lifeline chatbot using artificial intelligence.

This internship is ideal for a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual with skills in research, data analysis, and cross-team collaboration and an interest in social impact, food systems, healthcare, and applied research. Over the course of the internship, the intern will gain valuable experience in strategic project planning, stakeholder engagement, research synthesis, and presentation building—positioning them to contribute meaningfully to cross-sector work addressing food insecurity.

Essential Functions:

Support Food is Medicine Strategy and Communications (30%)

• Conduct research to inform Food is Medicine pitches and strategic partnerships.
• Develop slide decks and presentation materials to support outreach to healthcare stakeholders.
• Assist in identifying trends, best practices, and partnership opportunities in the healthcare and food security sectors.

Plan and Coordinate the Food is Medicine Convening (30%)

• Support the early planning of a Winter 2026 Food is Medicine convening, including agenda development, speaker/content coordination, and outreach to potential attendees.
• Help identify and coordinate event space, schedule, and logistics in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Track and document planning progress and decisions to ensure alignment across departments.

Contribute to the 2025 Hunger Report (25%)

• Analyze internal and external datasets to inform report findings.
• Create data visualizations to communicate trends and insights to a general audience.
• Conduct external research and summarize relevant studies, policies, and articles for inclusion in the report narrative.

Assist with Emerging Strategic Initiatives (15%)

• Support early planning and research for a hunger lifeline chatbot utilizing artificial intelligence.
• Participate in brainstorming and development meetings to help define the chatbot’s role, features, and scope.
• Collaborate with internal staff and external partners as needed to advance project readiness.

Requirements:

• Current enrollment in or recent completion of an undergraduate or graduate program in public health, public policy, social sciences, business, or a related field.
• Ability to engage respectfully with individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated interest in social impact, food systems, healthcare innovation, and/or public policy.
• A strong commitment to the mission of the Capital Area Food Bank.
• Ability to commit to a part-time or full-time internship schedule (to be determined based on candidate availability and organizational need).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting research and synthesizing complex information for reports, presentations, or academic assignments.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to tailor content for different audiences.

Other Skills, Abilities:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, with the ability to create compelling visual materials.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Physical activities involve sitting for 80% of the workday.
• Rarely, the ability to travel to sites as needed throughout the metropolitan area.

Reporting:

• Reports to Strategic Initiatives Manager

Compensation:

• $17.50 an hour
• This position is classified as non-exempt and is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
   

Schedule:

• Work schedule and hours will be determined in coordination with the Strategic Initiatives team based on mutual availability and project needs.
• Regular work hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break; with weekends or extended hours for special events

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 

We Offer: At Capital Area Food Bank, we understand that great people make a great organization. We value our people and offer employees a broad range of benefits including competitive compensation and benefits, free onsite parking, complimentary shuttle to metro, professional development, growth, and volunteer opportunities, fun work in a diverse environment 

Application Process:

• Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

EEO Statement:
Capital Area Food Bank welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for all our employees. CAFB makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, reproductive health decision making or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at CAFB. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.