Strategic Initiatives Intern

Democracy Forward; United States; Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Democracy Forward Foundation seeks a Strategic Initiatives Intern for Spring 2027. The role supports the SI team in tracking policy developments, identifying engagement opportunities, and producing research and public-facing materials. Part-time (10 hrs/week) with remote flexibility and a Washington, DC office, deadline Sept 26, 2026.

The intern will gain experience in legal and regulatory research, stakeholder engagement, and drafting memos, reports, and comments for diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited law school or master’s program with expected graduation after May 2027.
• Demonstrated excellence in research and writing tasks in a professional setting.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and work independently.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Experience or interest in nonprofit, mission-driven advocacy work.

Responsibilities

• Monitor federal regulatory activity, including proposed rules and actions.
• Analyze rulemakings to identify engagement opportunities.
• Conduct policy, regulatory, and social science research.
• Analyze and synthesize data related to federal actions.
• Coordinate timely responses to regulatory actions and engage clients/partners.
• Build relationships with partner organizations and policy experts.
• Prepare briefings on legal and regulatory developments.
• Draft comments, reports, and other materials for publication.

Skills

Research & Writing

Multitasking

Independent work

Attention to detail

Communication

Policy analysis

Education

Law school or related master's (expected graduation after May 2027)

Tools

Westlaw

DocketAlarm

CourtDrive

PACER

Excel

Airtable

Job description

Position Summary:

Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) is looking for a Strategic Initiatives Intern to join our team for the Spring 2027 term.

The Strategic Initiatives (SI) team seeks an intern to assist with a variety of tasks that support SI’s workstreams, which include: (1) tracking and monitoring policy and legal developments of interest to the organization, partners, and the public at large; (2) identifying and raising opportunities for engagement by Democracy Forward in cases or matters of state and national significance; (3) working on and assisting intra-organizational or inter-organizational projects to provide high-quality research and analysis in support of the pro-democracy movement; and (4) producing both internal and public-facing materials (memos, reports, social media posts, op-eds, etc.) that distill SI’s research and analysis for a variety of audiences.

This position would be part-time for 10 hours per week during the Spring 2027 semester, with exact weeks and working dates flexible to accommodate academic calendars. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC, and this position offers the flexibility to work remotely.

Deadline for this application is Tuesday September 26, 2026

Key Responsibilities:

Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department.

• Monitor and track federal regulatory activity, including proposed rules, executive actions, and other administrative actions.
• Help analyze proposed rulemakings and administrative actions to identify opportunities for engagement.
• Conduct policy, regulatory, and social science research to support the Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research team’s work in connection with public comments and other regulatory submissions.
• Analyze and synthesize data related to federal regulatory actions.
• Assist in coordinating timely responses to regulatory actions, including client and partner engagement.
• Support the Regulatory Affairs and Legal Research team’s efforts to build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, policy experts, and external stakeholders.
• Prepare briefings on legal and regulatory developments.
• Help prepare comments, reports and other written work product for submission and publication.

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed.

• Currently enrolled in an accredited law school or master’s degree program in a field related to Democracy Forward’s work (e.g., public policy, public administration, political science, education policy, law, human rights, sociology), with an expected graduation date on or after May 2027.

• Demonstrated excellence in performing research and writing tasks in a professional and timely manner.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and drive forward work under tight deadlines.

• High motivation and an ability to work independently.

• Demonstrated excellence in organizational and communication skills.

• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills including demonstrated self-awareness and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Experience or eagerness to work in a nonprofit, mission-driven, or advocacy organization.

  • Particular experience in legal environments (law firm, legal nonprofit, etc.) a plus.
  • Particular experience with legal tools (Westlaw, DocketAlarm, CourtDrive, PACER, etc.) a plus.
  • Familiarity with spreadsheet tools (Excel, Airtable) a plus.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, accountability, democracy, and social progress.

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 compensation for this position would be $28.85 per hour.

Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia.

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.

Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail] or 833-391-4732.