Policy & Nonprofit Leadership
Policy & Nonprofit Leadership internships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to gain experience in public policy and nonprofit leadership while addressing issues of poverty in communities. This program was specifically designed for students who have completed SHECP’s traditional client-facing internship. The students will bring their experiences and perspectives gained from coursework and working with clients at community partners engaged in anti-poverty work to understanding the challenges of leading these organizations and the development of anti-poverty policy. The program includes networking opportunities, workshops, seminars, mentoring from experienced professionals in the field, and presenting at the SHECP Annual Conference.
We will start accepting applications for the 2025 PNPL Internship program in early 2025.
The internship will run for 8-weeks, June 9th –July 31st and interns are expected to work 35-40 hours per week. SHECP will provide housing, a $2,800 living stipend, and a travel stipend. Students will be expected to attend the SHECP Annual Conference at the end of their internship.
To be eligible, students must have completed the SHECP Summer Internship Program. Preference will be giving to rising juniors and seniors, but graduating seniors are encouraged to apply. On the form, applicants will be able to indicate the internship sites for which they would like to be considered.
Policy & Nonprofit Leadership Internship
2024 Internships
Brookings Institute –
Rural Policy Intern
The Rural Policy Intern will work with the Global Economy and Development (“Global”) program at Brookings, a program that aims to shape the policy debate to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress. The intern will gain exposure to a broad set of policy topics related to domestic federal policy and international development, while developing their analytical thinking, organizational, and writing skills. Specifically, the intern will support a dynamic effort to inform federal policies that promote prosperity and equity for America’s rural communities and Native American nations. The intern will assist a senior fellow of the Center for Sustainable Development with a project to reimagine federal policy for rural community and economic development, alongside other projects.
National Community Action Foundation – Policy Intern
Working both individually and as a part of the NCAF team, with supervision from NCAF Chief of Staff, the policy intern will conduct research and prepare written products that support NCAF's legislative initiatives that support and advance the work of Community Action Agencies. Such topics may include: the Community Services Block Grant, Weatherization Assistance Program, Rural Broadband Expansion, Environmental Justice, Community Financial Development Institutions and Social Determinants of Health.
United Planning Organization – Economic Security Analyst
The Economic Security Analyst will conduct research to assess the economic security of DC residents working at low wages and make recommendations for policies to support them. The goals are to understand a) the full range of assistance available to families with low incomes and b) how those benefits phase out as earnings rise. The intern will make recommendations for improvements in the minimum wage and/or public benefits to provide greater security for working families.
