Queer Refugee Intern Applications- Events Intern

Queer Refugee Internship Program (QRI) 

About Rainbow Railroad 

Rainbow Railroad is an international human rights organization that creates pathways to safety for at-risk LGBTQI+ people and strengthens policies and systems that support their protection and integration. 

Headquartered in Toronto and New York, Rainbow Railroad is one of the few organizations that work as direct service providers, advocates, thought leaders, and movement strategists to address global queer forced displacement. Since its founding in 2006, the organization has received over 75,000 requests for help from individuals facing persecution due to their diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC). 

In collaboration with a global network of grassroots organizations and human rights defenders in crisis-affected contexts, Rainbow Railroad has supported more than 40,000 LGBTQI+ individuals, including facilitating international relocation for more than 2,300 people since its inception.

Rainbow Railroad is a registered Canadian charity and a USA 501(c)(3) organization with its headquarters in Toronto, Canada and an office in New York City, USA 

Overview of the Queer Refugee Internship 

In keeping with our strategic objective to strengthen and optimize the foundation of the organization while we queer the system and get more LGBTQI+ people to safety, Rainbow Railroad will be piloting an internship program for refugees who have benefitted from our work. This program aims to support refugees in rebuilding their lives and integrating into their new communities by enhancing their professional capacity in the social sector. Our internship program offers a unique opportunity for refugees to gain valuable work experience, develop new skills, and access professional networks, as we facilitate their empowerment on their journey to self-sufficiency and successful integration. The QRI will be targeted to refugees who have an interest in contributing their lived and professional expertise to the global forced displacement response and elevating the voices of queer refugees in the sector. QRI is also a part of Rainbow Railroad’s commitment to a refugee-inclusive and refugee-informed engagement praxis.


Program Objectives 

• Provide practical work experience and skill development opportunities for LGBTQI+ refugees. 
• Foster a supportive and inclusive environment that values diversity and cultural exchange. 
• Equip interns with tools and resources to enhance their employability in the social sector and improve integration prospects. 
• Create a refugee-informed culture of engagement and program implementation at Rainbow Railroad. 

Program Structure 

• Duration: 36 hours/week x 8 weeks (288 hours total)
• Internship Positions: Two available positions within the Development Department: Event Coordinator Intern and Community Giving Intern. 
• Training and Mentorship: Interns will receive orientation, training, and ongoing mentorship from an assigned member of staff to support their professional development and integration into the workplace. 
• Projects and Responsibilities: Assigned staff will outline tasks and scope of work relevant to each intern’s expertise and interest as well as the community mobilization needs of the organization allowing them to meaningfully contribute to our mission. 
• Regular Check-ins: Assigned staff will schedule 1:1 weekly or bi-weekly meetings to provide feedback, address concerns, and ensure interns' well-being and progress. 
• Networking Opportunities: Interns will participate in virtual and/or in-person meetings, workshops, events, and other activities hosted by Rainbow Railroad and/or its partners to facilitate connections with professionals and peers within the social sector. 
• Evaluation and Feedback: Assigned staff will complete a summative evaluation of interns’ performance and interns will complete a feedback survey regarding their internship experience within one month of completing the program. Interns will also be asked to write a public-facing blog post about their experience.

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Queer or Trans Asylum claimants, refugees, or permanent residents residing in Toronto.
• Applicants must be newcomers to Canada. This means they must have been residing in Canada for less than 5 years at the time of application.
• Willingness to commit to the full 8-week duration of the internship program
• Proficiency in English; additional language is an asset 
• Interest in gaining practical work experience and learning new skills 
• Respect for the organization's values and commitment to its mission 

Benefits for Interns: 

• Hands-on work experience in a professional environment 
• Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals 
• Networking opportunities and exposure to different facets of the organization
• Certificate of completion at the end of the program 
• Potential referrals or recommendations based on performance 
• Honorarium provided - $28/hour CAD

Application Process: 

1. Application Submission: Candidates can submit their résumés and cover letters expressing their interest in the internship program through our application portal 
2. Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews to assess their skills, interests, and suitability for available positions. 
3. Selection: Successful candidates will be notified of their acceptance into the internship program. 
4. Orientation: Interns will undergo an orientation session to familiarize themselves with their scope of work, the organization's culture, policies, and expectations. 

Scope of Work: Event Coordinator Intern 

The Role 

The Event Coordinator Intern (referred to hereafter as “the Intern”) will provide support to the Development Department at Rainbow Railroad in planning and executing major organizational events. Reporting to the Senior Development Officer, Event Management, the Intern will assist with event logistics, vendor coordination, volunteer engagement, and post-event analysis. This internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in event management, community engagement, and nonprofit operations while advancing Rainbow Railroad’s mission. 

Key Duties 

Event Planning & Coordination 

• Assist in coordinating logistics with vendors, venues, and service providers, including tracking invoices and deliverables. 
• Conduct research for upcoming events, including travel logistics, in-kind partner prospecting, and vendor and venue sourcing. 
• Follow up with the Finance team to ensure payments are processed and recorded in invoice trackers. 
• Support collaboration across teams, including: 
• • Working with the Communications team to request, create, and finalize marketing assets and copy. 
  • Assisting the Donor Relations team with ticket requests and fulfillment where needed. 
  • Coordinating with the Operations team on volunteer logistics and constituent participation. 
• Ensure event accessibility requirements are met in collaboration with the Senior Development Officer, Event Management. 
• Document event outcomes for internal records, including preparing post-event reports that summarize achievements, attendee engagement, and financial impact. 
• Assist with onsite event management, including set-up, teardown, tech and stage coordination.

Volunteer & Staff Coordination 

• Act as a liaison between the Senior Development Officer, Event Management and volunteer/staff captains during events. 
• Assist in the organization and logistics of volunteer participation at major events. 
• Support efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for volunteers and attendees. 

Event Calendar & Major Initiatives 

The Intern will provide support for the planning and execution of the following key events: 

• April 20-21 – Advocacy Days cocktail 
• June 11 – Freedom Party Toronto 
• Ongoing: Donor Gathering Support
• Other events where applicable

Planning: 

• Freedom: LA 
• Freedom: Chicago
• Staff Engagement events where applicable

Performance & Reporting 

• Participate in an onboarding process to understand Rainbow Railroad’s mission and work. 
• Submit weekly progress reports to the Senior Development Officer, Event Management, detailing work completed and upcoming priorities. 
• Prepare a final internship report and blog summarizing experiences, contributions, and key learnings. 

Compensation & Work Schedule 

• This internship requires a commitment of 28.5 hours per week. 
• Compensation will be $28/hour, paid on a bi-weekly basis.
• The internship period will run from Monday, April 13th, 2026 to Friday, June 19th 2026.

Professional Development & Learning Opportunities 

• Exposure to nonprofit event management and community engagement strategies. 
• Hands-on experience in coordinating large-scale events and working with diverse teams. Opportunities to network with LGBTQI+ advocates, community leaders, and nonprofit professionals. 
• • Opportunities for cross-departmental learning and a deepened understanding of RR's mission. 
  • Mentorship and peer learning opportunities 

Deadline to Apply: April 3

Supervision & Contact 

The Intern will report directly to the Senior Development Officer, Event Management and work closely with the Development Department. 

For any inquiries regarding this role, please contact: 

Craig Palmer 

cpalmer@rainbowrailroad.org