Volunteer & Community Engagement Internship - Spring 2027
Indianapolis, IN
Posted 1 day ago
Job Description
- Hours Requirement: Internship positions are considered full-time, with 40 hours per week requested. In-office work hours are generally 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Must be willing to work long hours and an irregular schedule, which will include weekends, evenings, and every weekend in May.
- Compensation: Intern will earn a weekly stipend of $500. Stipend will be paid at the end of each month. No relocation or housing assistance is provided.
- Learn about and participate in event set up, tear down, and production of all events and programs (consists of early morning and late nights).
- Assist with coordination and recruitment of volunteers for all 500 Festival events and programs.
- Represent the 500 Festival at assigned external events and tabling opportunities while promoting 500 Festival programs, events, volunteer opportunities, and other community involvement opportunities.
- Connect with community leaders and groups to support volunteer engagement and overall organizational community involvement
- Assist in providing onboarding information to volunteers at all 500 Festival events and programs.
- Support communication with volunteers through newsletters, emails, and online volunteer registration system.
- Help create a positive volunteer experience for all volunteers; encourage retention of volunteers through engagement practices.
- Coordinate projects, organize, set-up and execute Education Program Study Trips and Mobile Trips.
- Assist with meetings, communication and dissemination of relevant information, and other assorted coordination with volunteer committees.
- Collaborate with event professionals and volunteers to develop and manage program and event timelines.
- Provide additional support when needed to other members of the Operations team
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
- Interns will frequently work outdoors, which requires physical strength and stamina to endure heat, cold, rain and other conditions.
- Training and/or experience in meeting/event planning, recreation, tourism, marketing, special events or a related field is recommended.
- Possess strong written/verbal communication skills and strong attention to detail.
- Are a team player with exceptional organizational and computer skills.
- Are self-motivated and takes initiative; can manage and balance multiple projects/tasks at one time.
- Demonstrate a high level of enthusiasm.
- Possess a willingness to learn and adjust/adapt to changing deadlines.
- Must have the stamina to work long hours and must be willing to work an irregular schedule, which will include weekends and evenings. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Candidates with directly relevant skills and background are encouraged to apply with a cover letter and resume.
- Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as applications are received.
- Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams or in-person. The format will be determined by the supervisor and based on location and availability. We may also consider your application for other positions as part of our recruitment process.
- Experience a behind-the-scenes look at the Month of May in Indianapolis.
- Hands-on industry experience.
- 500 Festival branded apparel.
- Two tickets to the Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade.
- Two tickets to the 111th Running of the Indianapolis 500, presented by Gainbridge.
500 Festival
No other singular sporting event in the world has a legacy like the Indianapolis 500. No other event has shaped and defined a city and state and their people like the Indianapolis 500. The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the Indianapolis 500. 60+ years later, the 500 Festival is one of the largest and most respected festivals in the nation, adding to the quality of life for Indiana’s citizens and their guests.Each year, the 500 Festival brings more than half a million people to the heart of Indiana to celebrate the magical month of May. Whether they are participants in one of the nation's largest half marathons, fourth-grade students in the Education Program, families enjoying the state's largest festival for kids, or spectators at one of the nation's largest parades, there’s nothing quite like Indy’s electricity leading up to the Indianapolis 500.Key 500 Festival events include: the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon; the 500 Festival mini-mini; JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kid's Day & Rookie Run; the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. (held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway); the 500 Festival Memorial Service, presented by Rolls-Royce; the IPL 500 Festival Parade and the KeyBank 500 Festival Snakepit Ball.
