New Profit Summer Internship - America Forward
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Summer Intern – America Forward
LOCATION: Washington, DC (Hybrid for Summer 2024)
ABOUT NEW PROFIT
New Profit is a venture philanthropy organization that backs social entrepreneurs who are advancing equity and opportunity in America. New Profit exists to build a bridge between these leaders and a community of philanthropists who are committed to catalyzing their impact. New Profit provides unrestricted grants and strategic support to a portfolio of organizations led by visionary social entrepreneurs to increase their impact and sustainability. It also partners with social entrepreneurs and other cross-sector leaders to shift how government and philanthropy pursue social change to ensure that all people can thrive. Since its founding in 1998, New Profit has invested $325+ million in more than 165 early-and later-stage social enterprises. In 2024, New Profit will operate with a team of 85 full-time employees and an annual operating budget of $42M that will support over 120 social enterprises across the nation.
Read more about who we are, what we believe, and how we work in our 2023 Annual Report.
ABOUT AMERICA FORWARD
America Forward, the policy initiative of the national venture philanthropy firm New Profit, leads the America Forward Coalition of over 100 of the nation’s most innovative, effective non-governmental organizations. Together, we drive systems change that advances equity, fosters innovation, and rewards strong results in economic mobility, education, and democracy. To achieve this goal, America Forward partners with Coalition organizations to provide tailored training that builds capacity in policy and practice through our America Forward Advocacy Institute; develop transformational proposals for systems change; conduct coordinated public education and collective advocacy; and advance a shared narrative for change. By working together as a Coalition, we achieve exponentially greater impact. America Forward Coalition members operate in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico and possess an unparalleled ability to lift up locally-relevant and nationally-representative insights for policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.
NEW PROFIT SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
New Profit encourages you to consider an internship with us if you are interested in federal policy and advocacy, systems change, and contributing to and learning about the inner workings of an innovative, equity-centered, national venture philanthropy organization. We have loved the influence, support, and energy of our interns over the years and are excited to select and welcome another cohort! Our internships are placed in various parts of our organization, but each opportunity offers exposure to an aspect of the program, external affairs, or operational management to help you develop skills, knowledge, and relationships that ideally aid your career path.
Our summer internship program will be 20-30 hours per week and will go from June 3rd to August 30th. Each selected participants salary will be based on experience and it is non-negotiable. We hope you apply!
POSITION DESCRIPTION
As a Summer Intern with the America Forward team, you will gain hands-on experience and exposure to federal government policy development, policy advocacy, government relations, and entrepreneurial nonprofit organizations.
The America Forward Summer Intern will contribute to America Forward's strategic objectives by assisting in critical parts of America Forward’s Economic Mobility work. The Economic Mobility Policy work includes addressing and improving the needs of the workforce development system, public benefits, and education system, as outlined in the America Forward Coalition Economic Mobility Policy Platform. Our recent work includes, for example, deep engagement in the reauthorization of the nation’s central federal workforce legislation, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Additionally, you will provide assistance to various engagement activities such as America Forward’s Federal Collective Advocacy, Coalition Advocacy Capacity-Building, and External Engagement.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
- Conducting research to inform America Forward’s Economic Mobility policy development and collective advocacy work on policy issues such as career and technical education, apprenticeships, and immigration;
- Helping plan and/or attending meetings, briefings, and hearings on Capitol Hill;
- Conducting research to inform America Forward’s advocacy capacity building work;
- Planning and attending advocacy trainings and Hill Days;
- Contributing to congressional and administration outreach efforts;
- Contributing to Coalition communications efforts, including Economic Mobility monthly updates, external publications (e.g., blog and medium posts);
- Supporting the management of the America Forward Coalition; and
- Providing office and administrative support
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and successfully manage multiple priorities and projects while driving toward deadlines
- “Can do” personality and enjoys working with a diverse group of stakeholders
- Experience and/or knowledge of, or strong desire to know more about, the United States federal and state government systems and policies
- Policy background or interest in any of the following: education or workforce policy, systems change, federal budget/appropriations issues, leading nonprofit organizations
- Excellent verbal and written communicator
- Committed to high-quality work product and attention to detail
- Proficiency in Google Workspace, Google Docs, and Google Sheets preferred
- Available to work 20-30 hours per week between June 3rd to August 30 (Note - New Profit will be closed for our Summer Rejuvenation Break July 1 - July 10, 2024, so there will be no work during that time)
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter assignment (instructions below) addressed to Nicole Hall.
In lieu of a cover letter, please share thoughtful responses to the following questions in 4-7 sentences per question. Please attach the following answers to the questions in the cover letter field:
- Why are you interested in working at New Profit this summer? Why are you specifically interested in a role within the America Forward team?
- What relevant skills would you bring to the Summer Intern role?
- Please describe a time when you faced a significant obstacle to succeeding with an important project or activity. How did you approach the situation, and what were the results?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to create or lead a process and guide others to follow it within a certain time frame? What was your approach, and what was the outcome? (Your example can be from a class project, internship, or work experience. Feel free to share any relevant materials to this question if you have them.)
- Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
As an equal opportunity employer, New Profit recognizes the power of a diverse community and strongly encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.
The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
New Profit offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills.
Please no phone calls or direct emails.