Nonprofit and Advocacy Internship
Nonprofit Advocacy Intern
About the Role
Men’s Health Network (MHN) is seeking an engaged, motivated, and thoughtful Nonprofit Advocacy Intern to support our advocacy, outreach, and policy initiatives designed to improve the physical and mental health of men and boys.
This position offers a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience in national public health advocacy, nonprofit operations, and strategic communications. You will help advance MHN’s mission of closing the Lifespan Gender Gap, men die nearly six years earlier than women on average, by working alongside professionals who are leading national efforts to bring empathy, awareness, and accountability to men’s health policy.
Interns will directly support MHN’s advocacy presence on Capitol Hill, help shape public opinion through storytelling and media content, and contribute to community-based awareness campaigns that reach men, boys, and families where they live, work, play, and pray.
Key Responsibilities
Policy & Advocacy Engagement
- Support MHN’s efforts with the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus by conducting outreach to Congressional offices, developing informational materials, and tracking legislative sentiment on key issues.
- Attend and assist in Capitol Hill health fairs, federal briefings, and public policy events, representing MHN’s mission and distributing educational resources.
- Research and summarize state and federal men’s health data, identifying trends in policy, healthcare access, and population outcomes.
- Draft memos, policy briefs, or advocacy updates to help shape MHN’s policy priorities and inform outreach strategies.
Public Health Research & Education
- Conduct research into critical men’s health topics including preventive care, suicide prevention, testicular and prostate cancer awareness, chronic disease, and mental health stigma.
- Translate findings into accessible materials—such as blogs, toolkits, and infographics—that inform the public and support advocacy messaging.
- Collaborate with the Communications team to highlight research insights that humanize health statistics and inspire empathy.
Outreach & Relationship Management
- Build and maintain contact lists for Congressional staff, nonprofit coalitions, and corporate partners to support advocacy and awareness goals.
- Assist with CRM updates and contact tagging, helping MHN strengthen relationship management systems.
- Draft professional outreach communications, including thank-you emails, partner updates, and event invitations.
- Support MHN’s Ambassador Program, a nationwide volunteer initiative mobilizing communities to promote men’s health awareness.
Media & Public Engagement
- Interview members of the public or policymakers on camera to capture perceptions about men’s health and wellness.
- Assist in the creation of digital media, short-form videos, or social posts amplifying men’s health issues and advocacy efforts.
- Write blog entries or reflection journals that tie real-world advocacy to broader public health frameworks and social determinants of health (SDOH).
Organizational Learning & Professional Development
- Participate in weekly team meetings and policy briefings.
- Learn professional administrative skills such as scheduling, documentation, outreach logging, and project reporting.
- Receive one-on-one mentorship from MHN’s Vice President of Communications and Advocacy staff, gaining perspective on nonprofit leadership and policy advancement.
What You’ll Gain
This internship is designed to provide deep professional growth and a holistic understanding of how advocacy, policy, and nonprofit communications intersect to drive public health impact.
You will gain:
- Policy literacy — Understanding how public health priorities are shaped within Congress and federal agencies.
- Advocacy experience — Practicing effective outreach, persuasive communication, and stakeholder engagement.
- Research & analysis skills — Conducting health policy research, synthesizing data, and translating findings for diverse audiences.
- Strategic communication experience — Writing for publication, scripting advocacy messages, and crafting social content that resonates.
- Community engagement insight — Learning how local action connects to national health policy.
- Professional mentorship — Direct supervision by MHN’s leadership team, including opportunities for feedback and networking with partners across health, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Ideal Candidates
The ideal intern will bring curiosity, initiative, and professionalism to this experience. Students who thrive in research, policy engagement, or community health contexts are especially encouraged to apply.
This role is an excellent fit for students pursuing degrees in:
Political Science, Public Health, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Public Policy, Health Services Administration, Human Services, Community Health, or Organizational Leadership.
Applicants should have strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and an interest in improving health outcomes through education, empathy, and advocacy.
About Men’s Health Network (MHN)
Men’s Health Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families through advocacy, education, and outreach.
Founded in 1992, MHN established Men’s Health Month and Men’s Health Week, recognized nationally each June, to increase awareness about preventable health conditions and encourage early detection and treatment. MHN’s ongoing initiatives, such as Wear Blue Friday, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, reach millions each year through public health campaigns, policy advocacy, and community partnerships.
MHN also leads the effort to re-establish the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus and advocates for the creation of an Office of Men’s Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Our mission:
- Reduce premature mortality among men and boys.
- Improve physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes.
- Reduce cycles of addiction, violence, and homelessness.
- Increase empathy and understanding around men’s health.
- Foster collaboration between policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities.
Learn more at www.menshealthnetwork.org
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
At Men’s Health Network, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive fair consideration for employment opportunities.
Nonprofit Internship Compliance Statement
Men’s Health Network complies with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines for unpaid internships. MHN’s internships are educational in nature, designed to provide meaningful, career-relevant experience under the close supervision of staff. Interns do not displace regular employees, and participation does not entitle interns to paid employment. This ensures compliance while providing an exceptional professional learning opportunity in the nonprofit advocacy space.