Support pluralism, equal opportunity, and freedom of thought, expression and religion — the American Way!
Internships
People For the American Way is a national advocacy organization dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American: Equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way.
The affiliated People For the American Way Foundation conducts research, legal, and education work on behalf of First Amendment freedoms and democratic values; monitors, exposes, and challenges the Religious Right movement and its political allies; identifies, trains, and supports the next generation of progressive leaders through its Young People For youth leadership programs and its Young Elected Officials Network; and carries out nonpartisan voter education, registration, civic participation, and election protection activities.
We offer internships in several areas; some are available throughout the year. Part-time internships and flexible scheduling may be arranged. Internships are unpaid but we are happy to work with students to arrange academic credit.
Interns work with staff to track legislation, monitor congressional hearings, assist with program activities, and help with current research and writing projects, as well as some support duties. See the listings below for descriptions of intern positions that are currently available, as well as application instructions.
People For the American Way Foundation conducts research, legal, and education work on behalf of First Amendment freedoms and democratic values; monitors, exposes, and challenges the Religious Right movement and its political allies; identifies, trains, and supports the next generation of progressive leaders through its Young People For youth leadership programs and its Young Elected Officials Network; and carries out nonpartisan voter education, registration, civic participation, and election protection activities. The National Programs and Outreach Department houses the organization’s ongoing civic leadership and participation, voter registration, youth education and empowerment, and African American outreach programs.
The African American Religious Affairs (AARA) program maintains a network of progressive African American clergy, theologians/scholars, seminarians, and advocates who share the common goal of social change in the areas of Public Education, Health Care, Equal Justice, Civic Participation, and Economic Justice.
The AARA intern will work directly with AARA staff to implement the strategic goals for the program.
Responsibilities:
Assist in organizing AARA member database, including adding and updating records.
Research and identify developing trends of Religious Right Wing groups featured in African American publications; monitor news stories in mainstream media reporting on these trends.
Create profiles for 10 12 Right Wing organizations working in the African American community, including funding sources, media stories, and possible links between them.
Answer requests for material or information about AARA programs from members and the general public.
Help identify, prepare, develop, and disseminate information and resources in preparation for department meetings, special presentations, trainings, and conferences locally or in the field.
Send correspondence to member congregations by fax, email, and U.S. mail.
Assist in preparing updates and online newsletters on civic engagement trends in the African American community.
Other assignments and tasks, as deemed necessary.
Qualifications:
Interest in issues relating to the intersections of religion, values, and public policy.
Experience with African American outreach and/or communities of faith desirable.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment; must be detail oriented, well-organized and able to effectively manage competing priorities and frequent deadlines.
Familiarity with Internet research and MSOffice applications
Excellent research, writing, editing, and verbal communications skills.
Ability to work well both independently, with supervision, and as part of a team.
Willingness to learn and to show initiative and creativity.
Strong commitment to social justice and People For the American Way Foundation’s issue agenda.
Although this internship is unpaid, we will work with students to arrange academic credit and will reimburse interns for local, job related commuting expenses.
We are accepting applications for summer internships only. To apply, send resume and statement of interest to:
Human Resources People For the American Way Foundation 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Email to hr@pfaw.org
People For the American Way Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
Every day was full of a variety of assignments — enough to make things challenging and exciting. It’s fascinating and pretty fun, as well. — Taylor Ansley, Davidson College
People For the American Way is a nationwide advocacy organization that mobilizes its members and activists to fight for public policies that reflect the values of freedom, fairness, and equal opportunity; to champion constitutional protections and civil rights; to hold public officials accountable to those standards; and to promote strong democratic institutions, including a federal judiciary that upholds individual rights.
The affiliated People For the American Way Foundation conducts research, legal, and education work on behalf of First Amendment freedoms and democratic values; monitors, exposes, and challenges the Religious Right movement and its political allies; identifies, trains, and supports the next generation of progressive leaders through its Young People For youth leadership programs and its Young Elected Officials Network; and carries out nonpartisan voter education, registration, civic participation, and election protection activities.
Our communications and media relations department responds to media inquiries, generates news coverage, informs the media about the activities of the radical right, provides strategic communications advice, and supports the efforts of our allies and coalition partners.
Internships in our communications department provide students with a unique opportunity to see national and regional communications strategies at work. Our interns are an integral part of our communications team. Interns are called on to write news releases and other materials, plan events, conduct research, and pitch stories and events to reporters at top national media outlets.
Applicants for this position must be strong writers. They should have a basic understanding of the American politics and/or the news industry and be eager to learn more. Applicants should be effective team members who are willing to work hard to advance a progressive political agenda and who want to have fun while doing so.
Internships are unpaid, though academic credit may be available.
To apply, send letter of interest and resume to:
Human Resources People For the American Way 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Email to hr@pfaw.org
People For the American Way is an equal opportunity employer.
This is an excellent opportunity for a student to gain experience working in the development department of a national non-profit organization. The development department intern assists the development staff with various aspects of our fundraising activities related to donor research, event planning, mailings and outreach, and other cultivation activities.
Activities:
Prepare and help assemble major donor mailings and solicitations
Assist in the creation of materials for donor solicitation events around the country
Conduct research to evaluate current and prospective individual donors to match their interest with the program priorities of People for the American Way/People For the American Way Foundation
Work with development staff to develop reports to aid in donor solicitation and tracking
Analyze current donor files to help ensure the accuracy and timeliness of information in the files
Conduct research on foundations to identify new donors whose grants portfolio match the program priorities of PFAW/F
Assist with development and fundraising administrative tasks when needed.
Qualifications:
Computer proficiency including experience using online research tools and MSOffice
Excellent organizational and writing skills
Great attention to detail
An interest in non-profit development and a commitment to People For issues.
This is an unpaid internship but we will work with students who wish to arrange academic credit and will reimburse interns for local, job related commuting expenses. We are looking for someone to work full-time or part-time, with a minimum time commitment of 15 hours per week.
To apply, send resume and statement of interest to:
Human Resources People For the American Way 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Email to hr@pfaw.org
People For the American Way is an equal opportunity employer.
It was important for me to apply the theory I was learning in class and my passion for social justice to current political issues. At People For the American Way, I was able to do just that! — Angela Simms, University of Texas LBJ School of Public Policy
People For the American Way is a nationwide advocacy organization that mobilizes its members and activists to fight for public policies that reflect the values of freedom, fairness, and equal opportunity; to champion constitutional protections and civil rights; to hold public officials accountable to those standards; and to promote strong democratic institutions, including a federal judiciary that upholds individual rights. The Public Policy department lobbies Congress and the Executive Branch on behalf of the organization to affect public policy at the national level.
The Public Policy department works on a variety of issues, including electoral reform, reproductive freedom, school vouchers, tax policy, censorship, religious freedom, and immigration reform. The department has both full- and part-time internships to help with the following activities:
Perform legislative and policy research
Draft letters to Congress and fact sheets on various civil rights and constitutional liberties issues
Attend hearings, briefings, press conferences and coalition meetings as needed
Provide administrative support for the department
Other duties as assigned
Most Public Policy internships are unpaid, but we will work with students to arrange academic credit.
To apply, send resume and statement of interest to:
Human Resources People For the American Way 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Email to hr@pfaw.org
People For the American Way is an equal opportunity employer.
People For the American Way is a nationwide advocacy organization that mobilizes its members and activists to fight for public policies that reflect the values of freedom, fairness, and equal opportunity; to champion constitutional protections and civil rights; to hold public officials accountable to those standards; and to promote strong democratic institutions, including a federal judiciary that upholds individual rights. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Web-based outreach and organizing strategies for a multifaceted progressive advocacy organization.
Activities:
Conduct independent projects, including research and creation of new material for the website
Work with other staff to provide support for Web-based advocacy campaigns
Perform routine administrative duties, including post and maintain various online materials at PFAW.org
Other activities as YOUR interests dictate
Qualifications:
Previous experience with HTML
Knowledge of Photoshop a plus
Experience with video a plus
Blogging experience a plus
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines
Knowledge of Content Management Systems a plus
Experience with online and/or activist campaigns helpful
This is an unpaid internship, but we are happy to work with students to arrange academic credit.
To apply, send resume and statement of interest to:
Human Resources People For the American Way 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Email to hr@pfaw.org
People For the American Way is an equal opportunity employer.
Young People For Fellowship Program Internship
People For the American Way Foundation conducts research, legal, and education work on behalf of First Amendment freedoms and democratic values; monitors, exposes, and challenges the Religious Right movement and its political allies; identifies, trains, and supports the next generation of progressive leaders through its Young People For youth leadership programs and its Young Elected Officials Network; and carries out nonpartisan voter education, registration, civic participation, and election protection activities.
Young People For (YP4) is a nationwide leadership development program committed to protecting and promoting our nation’s core values by identifying, engaging and empowering the current generation of young leaders to help build the progressive movement.
Young People For is offering full- or part-time Fall/Winter internships in Washington, DC. Internships are unpaid but we are happy to work with students who wish to arrange academic credit. This is an opportunity to work with young progressive leaders across the country. Interns will work on a variety of projects in support of the YP4 program, including activities listed below.
Fellowship Program Overview:
At the core of Young People For is a year-long fellowship program that equips college activists and leaders with the skills and resources to work towards positive social change in their communities and across the nation. Fellowship department interns will primarily be responsible for supporting program staff and helping to identify, recruit, and cultivate student leaders and activists from across the nation for the 2010 fellowship class.
Responsibilities:
Assist in supporting young progressive leaders participating in YP4’s leadership programs on and off campus
Assist in the recruitment and cultivation of the 2010 Young People For fellowship class
Research current youth leadership programs, college activism, and leadership development curriculum
Conduct and support research on social issues as they affect young people and the fellowship class on the state and national level
Assist with planning and implementation of YP4 events, programming and retreats
Perform administrative support and duties as needed
Qualifications:
Excellent writing, editing and organizational skills; and strong attention to detail.
Ability to show initiative and strong problem-solving skills.
Experience with all MSOffice applications, including Word, Excel and Publisher.
Campus or community organizing experience a plus.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people.
Interest in the issues of Young People For and People For the American Way Foundation.
To apply: Please send a resume and a cover letter to Zach Dryden at zdryden@pfaw.org.
People For the American Way Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
Fall/Winter 2009
Young People For Communications and Events Internship
People For the American Way Foundation conducts research, legal, and education work on behalf of First Amendment freedoms and democratic values; monitors, exposes, and challenges the Religious Right movement and its political allies; identifies, trains, and supports the next generation of progressive leaders through its Young People For youth leadership programs and its Young Elected Officials Network; and carries out nonpartisan voter education, registration, civic participation, and election protection activities.
Young People For (YP4) is a youth-driven and youth-led program that brings together young leaders and activists from across the nation who are eager to ensure that progressive voices are heard on critical issues, such as the judiciary, religious freedom, economic justice, civil rights and constitutional protections. This program is designed for serious people who are interested in being leaders and making a difference. Together we are building a long-term network of emerging leaders committed to protecting our nation’s fundamental rights and freedoms.
Young People For is offering full and part-time Fall/Winter internships for academic credit.
Responsibilities:
Help staff maintain communications with YP4 program alumni through phone calls, drafting newsletters, and assisting with coordinating local events.
Assist in planning the logistics and communications for the 2010 YP4 National Summit. This is an annual conference held in Washington, D.C. where young progressive leaders from across the country gather to learn strategies and tactics for creating sustainable social change.
Assist with updating contact information in online databases of current program fellows, alumni, partner organization and media contacts.
Assist with general administrative work as needed.
Qualifications:
Excellent writing, editing and organizational skills; and strong attention to detail.
Ability to show initiative and strong problem-solving skills.
Experience with all MSOffice applications, including Word, Excel and Publisher.
Conference and/or event planning experience a plus.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people.
Interest in the issues of Young People For and People For the American Way Foundation.
To apply: Please send a resume and a cover letter to: Aliza Bartfield at ebartfield@pfaw.org.
People For the American Way Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
Facebook
Change.org
MySpace
Twitter
YouTube
Flickr