2026 Dan Broun Internship

The MDC Rural Prosperity and Investment team seeks an advanced undergraduate or graduate-level student to serve as a Program Associate in the Dan Broun Internship program.

About MDC Rural Prosperity and Investment
The MDC Rural Prosperity and Investment team focuses on amplifying the voice, capacity, and power of rural communities in the south by strengthening and networking their efforts towards equitable systems and policy change. Grounded in the values of PEOPLE, POWER, PROGRESS, and PARTNERSHIP, we provide an array of community-based and community-led capacity-building services including facilitation, training, coaching, relationship brokering, conflict management, and resource development. MDC is a nonprofit organization based in Durham, N.C., focused on shaping a South where all people thrive. Learn more at MDCinc.org. 

About the Program Associate 
The Program Associate role is designed as a structured, year-long learning experience designed to build essential competencies in rural community development and capacity-building. Through hands-on project-based work, mentorship, and intentional professional development, all Program Associates will develop transferable skills for their careers in 6 core competency areas:

1. Equitable community engagement principles
2. Rural capacity building theory, policy, and practice
3. Nonprofit organizational development
4. Facilitation and capacity-building tools
5. Communication with diverse audiences
6. Interprofessional practice

1. Assisting with meeting planning, coordination, facilitation, and notetaking. 
2. Community outreach and communications.
3. Drafting logic models, asset maps, project management tools, and other products. 
4. Supporting policy change efforts by researching and summarizing public policy. 
5. Identifying and developing projects that further the goals of a given program.
6. Attending meetings convened by partner organizations. 
7. Other administrative tasks (no more than 10%).

1. Experience in community outreach, research, and/or program evaluation. 
2. Excellent oral and written skills to communicate with a variety of audiences. Skills in bilingual (English and Spanish) speaking, writing, etc. are highly desired, but not required.
3. A sincere curiosity about rural communities and willingness to explore issues of inclusion, power, privilege, and diversity.
4. Ability to think creatively and collaboratively, while also taking independent initiative; an exceptional commitment to personal integrity, professionalism, and excellence. 
5. Skilled in detail-oriented customer service and responsive to community and staff needs.  
6. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, virtual meeting applications, and internet research.