Time Commitment: 8–10 hrs/week, 12–15 weeks
Location: Fully remote (West/Midwest/East Coast friendly)
Check-ins: Weekly meetings with the Swordhouse team

About Swordhouse

Since 2020, Swordhouse has helped mission-based nonprofits advance their communications and fundraising strategies. After partnering with nearly a dozen organizations, we saw both the possibilities and the limits of existing tools. We’re now scaling from 1:1 consulting to a sector-wide Movement Management Tool that helps nonprofits map, manage, and sustain their impact. To ground this tool in real-world needs, we’re gathering insights directly from nonprofit leaders about the systems, challenges, and cultural realities that shape their work.

Purpose

We’re seeking Movement Research Interns to conduct and synthesize 200 interviews with nonprofit leaders nationwide. Findings will directly inform five core features of the Movement Management Tool:

• Journey Mapping — how nonprofits move people from awareness to action, and where gaps exist

• Collaborative Idea Hub — how teams brainstorm and align before mapping work

• Momentum Tracking — whether engagement is advancing, stalling, or drifting

• Journey Trends Dashboard — what works across regions, issues, and formats

• Narrative Alignment Score & Ecosystem Map — how stories and networks drive momentum

Intern Objectives & Responsibilities

• Interview nonprofit leaders across geographies and movement types
  Transcribe, code, and analyze interviews into themes tied to the five features

• Contribute to an insight matrix tracking needs in mapping, collaboration, momentum, trends, and narrative

• Participate in weekly debriefs to refine methods and surface design insights

• Codify findings into the State of the Movement Report (Dec 2025)

Ideal Applicant

• Student in nonprofit management, communications, sociology, public service, or related fields
  Experience with research methods, interviewing, and transcription

• Strong writing, synthesis, and organization

• Curious, empathetic, and an active listener; comfortable with light-touch supervision

Timeline

• Application Deadline: September 15, 2025

• Internship Dates: October 1 – December 23, 2025

• Major Output: State of the Movement Report (Dec 2025) — the sector’s first comprehensive synthesis of 200 leader interviews; foundation for the Movement Diagnostic Tool and prototype app

How to Apply

1. Resume (1–2 pages) highlighting relevant coursework and experience

2. Statement of Interest (250–300 words) answering:
   

• Why are you interested in the position?

• What skills or perspectives would you bring?

• What do you hope to learn or gain from this internship?
  

3. Email  info@swordhouseinc.com with subject: “Movement Research Intern — [Your Full Name]”

Review Process: Applications accepted on a rolling basis; priority by September 15.
Questions? info@swordhouseinc.com