What This Internship Is Actually About

You'll get hands-on experience helping nonprofits and political campaigns raise money, apply for grants, and run impactful events. This isn't busy work - you'll be doing real tasks that matter while learning from experienced professionals who actually want to teach you.

Who Should Apply

College students (any year, any major) who want to understand how campaigns and nonprofits actually work behind the scenes. Maybe you're studying political science, communications, nonprofit management, or honestly just care about making a difference and want to learn practical skills.

What You'll Learn & Do

Client Support & Project Coordination

Help manage client projects and learn how professional relationships actually work

Assist with organizing timelines and keeping everyone on track

Sit in on client calls and meetings to see strategy in action

Learn project management tools that you'll definitely use in your career

Grant Research & Writing Support

Research potential funders and learn what foundations are looking for

Help write sections of grant applications (with lots of guidance and feedback)

Learn how to turn program ideas into compelling funding proposals

Assist with tracking deadlines and managing grant calendars

Get experience with databases and research tools used in the field

Fundraising & Events

Support fundraising event planning from brainstorming to execution

Learn donor database management and how relationship building actually works

Help with social media content for fundraising campaigns

Assist with event logistics and see how successful events come together

Administrative & Compliance Support

Learn the boring-but-important compliance stuff that keeps organizations legal

Help prepare reports and documentation

Gain experience with regulatory requirements in political and nonprofit spaces

What You Need (Honestly, Not Much!)

Basic Requirements

Currently enrolled in college (any year, any major welcome)

Available for 3 full business days per week during the semester

Strong writing skills - you should be comfortable with essays and research papers

Basic proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office

Genuine interest in politics, social justice, or nonprofit work

Soft Skills That Matter

Curious and willing to ask questions when you don't understand something

Reliable - when you say you'll do something, you actually do it

Comfortable learning new tools and platforms quickly

Good at communicating via email and in meetings

Organized enough to keep track of multiple tasks

No Experience Required

Never worked on a campaign? That's fine.

Don't know what a 501(c)(3) is? We'll teach you.

Never written a grant? Perfect, you'll learn from scratch.

Intimidated by talking to donors? We'll help you get comfortable.

Schedule

3 full business days per week (you choose which days work with your class schedule)

Some flexibility around exam periods and school breaks

Occasional evening events (maybe 1-2 per month) - great networking opportunities

Mix of remote work and in-person client meetings in NY/NJ area

What to Expect

Fast-paced environment where you'll learn something new every day

Real responsibility - your work will actually matter to clients

Mentorship from experienced professionals who remember being students

Exposure to both political campaigns and nonprofit organizations

Location & Logistics

Must be able to work in the NY/NJ metropolitan area

Hybrid setup - some remote work, some in-person for meetings and events

What You Get Out of This

Academic Credit

College credit available (work with your school's internship coordinator)

Can fulfill internship requirements for most majors

Letter of recommendation guaranteed if you put in solid work

Real-World Experience

Portfolio pieces for job applications (grant writing samples, event planning materials)

Professional references who know your actual work

Network in political and nonprofit sectors

Skills that transfer to any field: project management, client relations, professional communication

Career Development

Weekly mentorship meetings to discuss your career goals

Exposure to different career paths in politics and nonprofits

Interview practice and resume feedback

Potential for paid position after graduation (seriously - we hire our best interns)

Skills You'll Actually Develop

Grant writing and research

Client relationship management

Event planning and logistics

Database management and data analysis

Professional communication and presentation skills

Project coordination and time management

Understanding of campaign finance and nonprofit compliance

Application Requirements

Resume (even if it's mostly school projects and part-time jobs)

Cover letter explaining why you're interested (keep it real, not corporate-speak)

Writing sample (can be from a class, doesn't need to be campaign-related)

Available start date and class schedule

Why This Internship Doesn't Waste Your Time

You'll work on actual client projects, not just filing and coffee runs

Direct mentorship from professionals who want to see you succeed

Flexible scheduling that works around your academic commitments

Real experience you can talk about in job interviews

Connections that can help you get your first job after graduation

Understanding of how political campaigns and nonprofits actually operate

Bottom Line: This is for students who want practical experience in campaign work and nonprofit management while still focusing on their studies. You'll get college credit, real skills, and professional connections that will help launch your career in public service, politics, or nonprofit work.

Founded and led by Scott Levenson since 1990, we are a diverse team working together to deliver results.

Our combined expertise includes lobbying, campaigns and elections, communications, graphic design, fundraising, digital advertising, and more.