Policy & Public Affairs Summer Intern

Position Summary:

Are you a detail-oriented and mission-driven student interested in communications and media? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Intern to join our team.

We are seeking a collaborative and proactive intern to support the Policy and Public Affairs team. This position will be responsible for drafting and editing communications materials, assisting with media monitoring, supporting digital and social media efforts, and helping the team track and communicate developments across Democracy Forward’s litigation and advocacy work.

Democracy Forward Foundation’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role.

The Policy and Public Affairs Intern will report to the Senior Communications Manager and work closely with the communications, press, policy, and digital teams. Applications are due Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

• Media Monitoring and Communications Support
• Partner with members of the Policy and Public Affairs team to conduct ongoing media monitoring and track coverage of Democracy Forward’s litigation and policy work.
• Research press mentions of Democracy Forward’s cases and initiatives and assist with compiling twice-daily internal press clips distributed across the organization.
• Assist with the preparation of weekly press coverage graphics and summaries to help internal teams understand how Democracy Forward’s work is being covered in the media.
• Conduct research to support the development and maintenance of press lists, including identifying reporters covering relevant national, state, and trade beats.

• Newsletter and Digital Content:
• Support the development of Democracy Forward’s biweekly newsletter.
• Research topics, develop outlines, and draft newsletter content in coordination with the communications team.
• Identify and curate relevant press coverage, photos, and graphics for newsletter editions.
• Contribute to the production of multiple newsletter editions during the internship period.
• Draft social media content in coordination with the digital team.

• Research and Web Content Development:
• Draft and update case pages and web content to help communicate Democracy Forward’s litigation and advocacy work to the public.
• Translate complex legal concepts and case developments into clear, accessible language for non-legal audiences.
• Support team research projects by monitoring congressional hearings, tracking relevant policy developments, and updating internal trackers.

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

• Required:
• Current undergraduate student majoring in communications, political science, public policy, journalism, or a related field.
• Strong writing, research, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear and accessible language.
• Interest in democracy, law, public policy, and nonprofit advocacy work.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Preferred:
• Familiarity with Mailchimp, WordPress, and EveryAction.
• Familiarity with media monitoring, policy research, or communications work.
• Interest or coursework related to law, government accountability, or civil rights issues.
• Familiarity working or volunteering in mission-driven, nonprofit, or advocacy environments.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.
• This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.

The salary range for this position is $8,000 for the summer.