Dr. Shirley Davis Foundation – Digital Storytelling & Engagement Optimization

Employer

University of South Florida (USF) - Mellon Humanities Internship Program

Mellon Humanities Internship Program
Title: Dr. Shirley Davis Foundation – Digital Storytelling & Engagement Optimization 
Internship Site: Tampa, FL 
Field: Social Services
Total Internship Hours: 50
Location: Hybrid – Tampa, FL

MHI Compensation: This position is eligible for the MHI $1000 Scholarship. Students who receive an offer for this position will be required to enroll in the Mellon Humanities Internship course to receive the $1000 scholarship disbursement. As referenced in the Student Interest Form that you filled out to sign up for participation in MHI, this scholarship can impact, or be impacted by, other financial aid you receive. 

If an internship requires out of pocket costs, students may apply for reimbursement for expenses including background checks, qualifying travel, or equipment. All applications will be reviewed and processed for eligibility. Please contact your departments internship coordinator for more details.

The $1000 scholarship offered for this position is intended to provide financial assistance for the pursuit of your education; it is not compensation for the performance of any services and does not create an employment relationship between the you and the Site.

This position is an experiential learning opportunity and receipt of the scholarship is tied to an academic course (IDS 3947). If you do not complete your registration for the course in a timely manner, your internship offer may be withdrawn, and your department’s Internship Coordinator may notify the host organization that the position has reopened.

Job Description:                                                                                                      

This internship centers on strengthening the Dr. Shirley Davis Foundation’s digital presence through strategic storytelling, audience engagement, and marketing infrastructure. Grounded in the Foundation’s mission to Motivate, Cultivate, Elevate, and Celebrate extraordinary individuals and businesses, the goal of this project is to elevate brand visibility, streamline communication systems, and deepen community engagement across platforms.

The intern will play a key role in bringing this initiative to life, producing deliverables that strengthen the Foundation’s voice and expand its reach.

Key Deliverables May Include:

• A cohesive 90-day social media content calendar aligned with organizational campaigns and events
• Cleaned and optimized Mailchimp database with segmented mailing lists
• A series of branded, SEO-informed social media posts (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook)
• Scheduled and executed email marketing campaigns with performance tracking
• Gathered and organized beneficiary or community testimonials for use in campaigns, digital content, and donor stewardship
• A content engagement report highlighting growth, reach, and audience insights
• Recommendations for new content series, storytelling approaches, and engagement strategies

Responsibilities:

Working closely with the Executive Director, the intern will:

Part I (50 Hours)

• Audit and clean the Foundation’s Mailchimp database, including removing duplicates, segmenting audiences, and improving list organization
• Create, schedule, and manage email marketing campaigns via Mailchimp, including drafting copy and tracking performance metrics

Part II (50 Hours)

• Develop and maintain a 30–90 day social media content calendar aligned with Foundation programs, events, and campaigns
• Write, edit, and prepare content across social platforms, including captions, hashtags, and SEO-informed copy; all content will be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director prior to publishing
• Design and produce marketing materials using Canva or Adobe Express to support programs, events, and initiatives (branded templates will be provided)

Part III (50 Hours)

• Gather and organize beneficiary or community testimonials to support impact storytelling across digital channels
• Monitor and report on engagement metrics (reach, impressions, click-through rates, follower growth, etc.)
• Identify and propose new ideas for social media content, storytelling series, and audience engagement strategies

Other Responsibilities:

• Monitor social media comments and flag items requiring Executive Director review or response
• Collaborate with leadership to ensure all content aligns with brand voice, mission, and organizational priorities
• Handle all constituent data and organizational information with discretion and professionalism in accordance with the Foundation’s confidentiality agreement
• Track hours, tasks, and progress while providing regular updates to the Executive Director

Qualifications:

• Strong writing, video editing, graphic design and storytelling skills with the ability to adapt voice for different platforms and audiences
• Familiarity with social media platforms (Instagram, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, Facebook) and digital marketing best practices
• Experience or interest in email marketing platforms (Mailchimp preferred)
• Proficiency with graphic design tools such as Canva or Adobe Express
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills
• Creative, proactive, and eager to contribute new ideas
• Ability to work independently in a remote or hybrid environment
• Passion for nonprofit work, equity, and community impact