Summer Internship

Run for America (RFA) is a citizen-powered movement to reimagine politics, reinvigorate government, and restore the promise of America for the 21st century. We strategically recruit, train, and work to elect a new generation of leaders to Congress who are committed to a solutions-first, future-focused, and innovative approach to tackling our major national challenges. With cutting-edge campaigns and dynamic candidates, we aim to expand the electorate to win elections and build a lasting grassroots network of supporters across the country and political spectrum.

Our interns play a critical role within the RFA team, and have the opportunity to take on responsibilities comparable to those of our full-time employees. An ideal candidate will have the skills and experience outlined below, and will be a strong fit for the RFA culture. Our program is project-based, and interns will work both as individuals and as members of a highly collaborative team. Tasks assigned to interns, or teams of interns, may vary in kind and scope but will align with their skills and interests. In the past, interns have worked on critical projects related to the assessment of political opportunity in districts across the country, the development of the budget for the RFA Institute and RFA Inc., and the execution of RFA’s LinkedIn launch campaign.

Marketing and Communications

Examples of Intern Responsibilities:

  • Assisting with RFA’s social media presence and strategy and long-term writing projects

  • Tracking and recording media mentions of RFA publications and events

  • Maintaining the media contact database, and various administrative tasks

  • Providing support for content creation and dissemination

  • Tracking current events and updating the RFA editorial calendar

Research

Examples of Intern Responsibilities:

  • Providing research, analysis, and administrative support on long and short term RFA projects including, but not limited to:

  • Assessment of political opportunity and potential candidates in districts across the country

  • Assessment of current electoral dynamics and district electoral history

  • Comprehensive demographic and geographical district research

  • Supporting time sensitive research requests with regards to RFA day-to-day activities

Outreach

Examples of Intern Responsibilities:

  • Reaching out to potential candidates and volunteers to gauge interest and fit

  • Managing RFA presence in target districts

  • Assisting staff with member outreach and correspondence

  • Data & contact management

Fundraising

Examples of Intern Responsibilities:

  • Researching prospective donors through development databases and the internet

  • Developing donor profiles

  • Drafting and editing donor correspondence

  • Assisting with foundation research and helping uncover potential funding opportunities

  • Providing research and logistical support for RFA events

RFA team members are:

  • Highly adaptable and do well in a startup environment of constant change

  • Proactive team players with an innate desire to learn

  • Honest, resourceful, and mission driven

  • Seek leadership opportunities and excel with delegation and collaboration

  • Outgoing and relationship focused

Desired Skills and Experience

  • Undergraduate student or recent graduate, with a familiarity of the U.S. government and a desire to fix a broken system!

  • Strong attention to detail and thorough follow through

  • Advanced writing, editing, research, and creative thinking skills

  • Superior and verbal communication skills

  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, as well as social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook

  • Ability to work collaboratively and independently

  • Specialized skills such as graphic design or web development are highly valued

Applicants should submit  a resume, cover letter, 3 references and a writing sample, as well as indicate their interest level in the four operational areas detailed above, by emailing them to [email protected] with the subject line “Run for America Internship Application.” A monthly stipend of $1000 for these positions will be provided, and current undergraduates can apply for college credit through their schools. The program, based in New York City, begins on June 1st. 

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Common Sense Action/RFA-U Regional Director:

CSA and RFA-Action (RFA’s grassroots advocacy organization formed by the union of CSA and RFA) are jointly launching a new Regional Director position with two openings for undergrad and graduate students able to commit to a stipended summer internship in Washington DC and 10-15 hours per week during the school year. Additionally, Run for America has 10 stipended internship spots open in New York for the summer. Applications are due on Thursday, March 26 at 11:59pm.

RFA-U Regional Director Overview:

The position will begin June 1st and includes a full-time internship over summer 2015 and a 10-15 hour per week remote internship during the 2015-2016 school year.  During the summer, Regional Directors will be based in Washington, DC and earn a stipend of $3,000 for their work, beginning June 1st. RDs will subsequently earn a stipend of at least $1,000/year during the remote phase of their internship. Stipends may increase based on qualifications and experience.

Summer 2015 Role & Responsibilities:

This summer, RFA-U RDs will have a unique opportunity: to integrate the existing CSA network and build the RFA campus organization from the ground up. Based in Washington, D.C., RDs will lay the foundation for all campus-engagement activity going forward. RDs will be recruiting brand-new Campus Chapters across the country by visiting Congressional offices, hosting events with current and former elected officials, entrepreneurs, social innovators, and non-profit leaders, writing blogs and op-eds.  RDs will host regular events like happy hours and Pizza & Policy sessions for students as well as young professionals in Washington DC. After a summer in DC, RDs not only amass significant organizing experience, but they also build incredible personal relationships and professional contacts – doing so is baked into the job description.

Interested undergraduate and graduate students can apply for the RD position as well as RFA internships by filling out this short form. Applicants must send a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and references to [email protected].

© 2015 Run for America Inc.