211 NDP Business Strategy Intern

ABOUT UNITED WAY

United Way mobilizes communities around the world to close gaps and open opportunities so everyone can thrive. Through our global network spanning 37 countries and 1,100 communities, United Way connects partners, donors, volunteers, and community leaders to tackle the root causes of the world’s most complex challenges while making a positive impact in the lives of millions of people. Learn more at unitedway.org. 

INTERN EXPERIENCE AT UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE

Interns at United Way Worldwide gain valuable learning and working experience at a leading nonprofit organization. Our goal is to make every intern who works with us learn about the area of work they believe they plan to pursue after graduation.  We want each intern to feel included, valuable, and productive in the department in which they are assigned. In addition to the hands-on experience that you’ll receive working at the largest nonprofit in the world, you will be provided with weekly meetings led by subject matter experts and professional development workshops when available. 

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

The internship opportunities are open to current students attending a college or university. Applicants must be eligible to work within the United States and have all documentation at the time of their application. Internship schedules will generally be Mondays through Thursdays, off on Fridays. 

POSITION DEPARTMENT

Strategy & Innovation

POSITION SUMMARY

The 211 NDP Business Strategy Summer Intern will provide the Strategy & Innovation Department, and specifically, the 211 Team, with research, writing, strategy development, and data visualization support to further develop our approach to Phase 2 of the 211 National Data Platform (NDP). In addition, the Intern may drive and/or support smaller data analysis and research projects to advance UWW’s goal of strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of the 211 Network.  

About 211

A 3-digit dialing code that connects to a free, confidential service for information and referrals to social services programs and resources, 211 is leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients contact 211 for assistance with housing and utility payments, food, mental health services, employment services, veteran services, childcare and family services, and more. Trained 211 Community Resource Specialists listen, identify underlying problems and root causes, and connect people to local support to improve their lives. There is no other service in the country with a similar pulse on America’s needs.

United Way is proud to be a strong supporter of 211. In the U.S., local United Ways operate and/or provide funding to about 85% of local 211 systems. United Way Worldwide (UWW) is the only organization with staff fully dedicated to supporting the strategy and operations of the entire network of 211 providers. 

A key component of UWW’s strategy to elevate the 211 brand and build financial support for 211 is to increase awareness and usage of 211 data. UWW maintains the 211 National Data Platform (NDP) which currently brings together local 211 resource directories into a single, national directory. In 2025, we will launch Phase 2 of the NDP, which will bring together locally collected data on 211 client interactions (i.e., the needs and demographics of individuals contacting 211), to enable near real-time visibility into trends in needs across communities.

PRIMARY PROJECTS

• 211 NDP Phase 2 Business Strategy Development
  1. Via desk research and conversations with UWW leaders, identify and prioritize potential partners (e.g., foundations, corporations, government agencies) that may be interested in supporting UWW’s vision to bring data on 211 client interactions into the NDP and to develop and publish a National 211 Community Needs Dashboard. UWW is interested in identifying partners to both fund this work and to support product development (i.e., provide input and feedback on Dashboard design, assess opportunities to generate revenue from related data products).
  2. In collaboration with UWW leaders, develop short (1-3 page) concept papers to share with prioritized partners that align partner interests with work that would meaningfully advance UWW’s vision for Phase 2 of the NDP.
  3. Support UWW leaders, including the Internship Supervisor, with an initial project to begin Phase 2. This work, launched in February 2025, will bring 211 client interaction data from a subset of state 211 systems into the NDP. In collaboration with 211 leaders, UWW aspires to design and launch, by the end of 2025, an initial, public-facing, multi-state 211 Community Needs Dashboard. This summer, we envision the 211 Intern will have the opportunity to support working sessions with 211 leaders and UWW stakeholders to review and refine the Dashboard design.
• Potential Secondary Projects
  1. Data Analysis and Visualization of Local 211 Support – Learn how to use Salesforce, UWW’s customer relationship management system, and develop a dashboard or other data visualization/report to enable the UWW 211 team to use Salesforce data to quickly and holistically understand how local 211s are interacting with UWW.  
  2. Ad Hoc Research and Analysis to Advance UWW’s 211 Strategy– As requested, conduct other research and analysis to advance UWW’s 211 strategy. This could include research to support UWW’s advocacy for national 211 funding, preparation for a 211 networking and skill-building conference that UWW is hosting in October, or other projects.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• At least two years of undergraduate education
• Demonstrated interest and experience in conducting secondary (desk) research and making recommendations based on findings
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word
• Familiarity with Microsoft PowerPoint
• Comfort working in ambiguous situations
• A self-starter mentality who thrives in collaborating with others to solve problems
• Ability and desire to quickly learn new topics, technologies, and skills
• Interest in data visualization, data analysis/reporting, and using data to inform public policy and programs to improve lives 
• Commitment to advance the mission of United Way and 211 

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint
• Experience with Salesforce 
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI or other business intelligence and data visualization tools

HELPFUL INFORMATION

• Weekly meetings and supplemental professional development workshops provided onsite
• Complete a learning plan according to school’s requirements for those receiving a grade
• Chance to meet and work with nonprofit subject matter experts and leaders at UWW
• Free coffee & tea onsite
• Free parking at United Way Worldwide’s parking garage
• Near Blue/Yellow Metro line (Braddock Metro Station) and then board Alexandria Free Dash bus that has stops directly across from our building

LOCATION

This internship takes place at the United Way Worldwide office at 701 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

TIME FRAME

Summer – June 2, 2025 to July 31, 2025

Pay Rate: $21.00 - $25.00 / hour

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

United Way Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please e-mail recruitment@uww.unitedway.org or call 703-836-7100 and provide the nature of your request and your contact information.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE

United Way Worldwide opposes discrimination of any form as evident in our Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Principle.  We take the broadest possible view of diversity.

We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are.

We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission and progress our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

We believe that each United Way community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to solving community problems.

We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work.

We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities.

Join us in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion for every person in every community.

Thank you for your interest in an internship opportunity with United Way Worldwide. You will be contacted if your qualifications are a good match, and you are selected for an interview.