Intern Community Outreach & Engagement

The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. Ford Foundation Equity Initiative (FFEI) Internship Program at The Henry Ford is a cohort-based program that offers professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

We invite diverse candidates who are curious about careers in the museum world to become a part of our legacy and take it forward. The Ford Foundation Equity Initiative Internship Program Overview and Time Commitment The FFEI Internship Program’s mission is to offer opportunities in museum work to emerging professionals who identify with historically marginalized groups and to invite our interns to think outside the box and explore their careers in new ways.

Participants will engage in the program through various bi-weekly professional development workshops hosted on our Dearborn campus. It is mandatory for participants to attend, and applicants should work with their leadership to ensure proper attendance. Workshops typically occur on Wednesdays during the work week. As part of your employment, we also have our interns participate in an end of cohort survey.

Note: All candidates interested in FFEI Internship roles must have Wednesdays available due to programmatic requirements of the internship. The 15-week Winter 2027 internship runs January 25–May 7, 2027. Attendance at orientation on January 25 is mandatory. The Community Engagement & Outreach Intern will support The Henry Ford’s efforts to connect museum resources, programs, and experiences with diverse communities throughout Metro Detroit and beyond, with a focus on underserved and underrepresented audiences.

The intern will help build and maintain authentic relationships with community organizations, schools, faith communities, libraries, and other partners, and support initiatives that reduce barriers to accessing The Henry Ford’s educational and cultural offerings. The intern will also support outreach and inclusive programming that welcomes new audiences to the Jackson Home.

Through this work, the intern will gain hands on experience in community engagement, audience development, partnership cultivation, and public programming while contributing to The Henry Ford’s mission of inspiring people to learn from America’s traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and innovation. Essential Responsibilities Draft program communications.

Co-lead the planning of quarterly Community Outreach Program Partner Meetings. Identify and design virtual and in-person engagement opportunities for Community Outreach Partners. Manage community partner access to special events and programs at The Henry Ford. Co-lead onsite and offsite community engagement and outreach events and programs.

Support the intern lead in planning community programming for Jackson Home engagement across Metro Detroit. Draft a community partner survey and analyze the results to inform the future direction of the Community Outreach Program. Minimum Requirement s Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Availability for a hybrid schedule, including on campus work at least once a week (Monday through Friday) and for special events. Special Skills Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Clear writing and the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences.

Ability to follow project guidelines, work independently on assigned tasks, and seek guidance when needed. Collaborative approach and ability to work across teams. Interest in community engagement and in building relationships with community organizations. Physical/Mental/Environmental Requirements Physical : Handling program and event materials weighing up to 15 pounds.

Mental: A compassionate, empathetic, and service-focused mindset. Ability to support, communicate, and collaborate with our diverse network of community organizations and leaders. Environmental: Work is performed on and off site at The Henry Ford’s Dearborn campuses. Work includes attending community events. Internship Program Compensation Interns are paid under the following paygrades: First year intern in school (undergraduate or trade): $17.

00 First year intern with completed degree (undergraduate or trade): $18.00 Graduate school and postgraduates: $20.00 Please note that this job description is subject to modifications at any time to meet the evolving requirements of our institution. Respect, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds will attract the best ideas to THF and help us shape a more vibrant future.

By honoring and celebrating people’s diversity, THF can bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work and community. Achieving diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is a continuous process, which, we believe, will contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify with or belong to marginalized communities.

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity including but not limited to based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

This Policy applies to all of our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.