Democracy House Internship 2024

*NOTE: To apply, please send your materials to interns@democracyhouse.org, as we are not accepting applications on Handshake and are not monitoring any submissions made through there.

About the Role

The Democracy House (DH) intern supports the engagement of rising generations to defend, strengthen, and improve democracy through the organization’s programs and initiatives. Alongside its parent organization, the Foundation for Civic Leadership, Democracy House’s work has helped lead to some of the biggest recorded increases in student voting in US history. Past interns have gone on to hold leadership positions in civil society and government agencies.

The DH Intern is a part-time remote internship (10-15 hours a week) and will be compensated at $20 per hour based on experience. The internship will run for 10 weeks from June 10 - August 9th. 

Throughout the internship, Democracy House will operate under the following learning objectives:

• Introduce interns to the non-profit space, particularly as it pertains to civic engagement.
• Train interns on how to prepare high-quality briefings and research materials.
• Empower interns to understand the importance of civics education and the youth vote.
• Provide interns an opportunity to see beyond our work by learning more about partner organizations and other non-profits.
• Foster an independent spirit in interns by granting them ownership over their work and accomplishments.

General responsibilities of the Spring DH Intern include, but are not limited to:

• Support the development of briefings, presentations, agendas, and other materials
• Participate in research projects in areas of interest to the staff
• Extend logistical and administrative support to all members of the Democracy House team.

Potential projects for the spring:

• Alumni Organizing: Research alumni at key universities across the country to bridge the resource and opportunity gaps students face in the public sector.
• Prospect Research: Develop constituent profiles on individuals for the Advancement Department.
• Civic Engagement Policy: Support work to research and make recommendations around policies that can expand student voting and civic engagement. 
• Young Leaders Summer Institute (YLSI) and Young Leaders Civic Action Project (YLCAP) - attend sessions, and assist the program director with presentations, and/or research session topics.
• Democracy Center: An in-person project for interns based in the Boston/Cambridge area.

Eligibility Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:

• Demonstrated long-term enthusiasm about voting and civic engagement, advocacy, and/or youth leadership.
• Detail-oriented approach to all tasks, large and small.
• Well-organized and proactive.
• Able to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, or a willingness to learn.
• Ability to independently and creatively conduct research, or a willingness to learn.
• 0 – 2 years of work experience. Experience in organizing, politics, government, philanthropy, or consulting is welcome but not required.

We believe creating social impact starts with diverse teams and partners. This means cultivating an equitable workplace that encourages collaboration and creativity, and we actively recruit and empower people who represent the diverse next generation of leadership. Applicants will never be disqualified nor discriminated against by race, class, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran or disability status, criminal history, or educational attainment.

To Apply

Email us with the subject line “Summer 2024 Internship” to interns@democracyhouse.org. To ensure your candidacy is properly considered, include the following information:

• A one-page resume that highlights your interest in civic engagement
• A written statement that answers the following question in 200 words or less: Why do you want to work at Democracy House, and what do you hope to gain from this internship?

The application deadline is Friday, April 12, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We encourage you to reach out to interns@democracyhouse.org regarding any questions about Democracy House or the internship position.