My Year as an Intern at Point b(e) Strategies
By Jenn MuñozI spent the past 10 months as a Masters of Social Work intern at Point b(e) Strategies. If you had asked me before I started what the difference was between a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4), I probably would have given you a blank stare and a shrug. I knew I wanted to disrupt systems and be a radical social worker, but I didn’t realize that the revolution actually has a lot of IRS paperwork.
Spending my internship at Point b(e) Strategies has been like getting a masterclass in the how of social change. I’ve spent the last few months deep-diving into the nonprofit ecosystem. I learned that these organizations aren't just charities—they are an economic engine. Did you know nonprofits employ nearly 10% of the U.S. private sector workforce? That’s close to 13 million people in a world that often overlooks the invisible majority—the 60% of nonprofits running on less than $50k a year.
I used to think nonprofits were just there to fill gaps, but now I see they are the frontline for everything the government can’t or won’t do. They run the crisis hotlines, the food banks, and the recovery programs that keep our communities from collapsing. But to keep those doors open, you need money—often in the form of grants. I’ve learned that grant writing isn't just about asking for money; it’s about storytelling with data. It’s about convincing funders that your vision for a better world is a solid investment.
And then there’s the JEDI work. (No, not Star Wars—though sometimes it feels like we’re fighting a Galactic Empire). Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion aren't just buzzwords here. I’ve learned that if an organization isn't JEDI-competent, it isn't just behind the times— it’s actively causing harm. Being radical means looking at the roots, and JEDI work is the shovel.
But if I’m being completely honest, the most impactful thing I learned this year didn't come from a textbook or a logic model. It was felt.
This year was not easy for me. It was full of ups and downs, and if I’m being real, it was mostly downs. There were days when just staying on my feet felt like a marathon. In any other workplace I’ve ever been in, I would have been just another employee to be managed. But not here. At Point b(e) Strategies, they don’t just talk about disrupting the status quo or centering humanity—they actually live it. I was welcomed into this team as if I’d been there for a decade. I experienced a level of compassion, patience, and flexibility that I honestly didn't think existed in the professional world. They didn’t just give me tasks; they gave me hope. They showed me that you can be a high-level architect of liberation and still be kind, funny, and human.
My internship at Point b(e) Strategies was a reminder that the future can be different if we’re brave enough to design it that way. I'm walking away from my time with a lot of new information, but more importantly, I’m walking away with the knowledge that you can do high-level, system-changing work while still being a kind, compassionate human being.
