Federal Advocacy Intern

Boys & Girls Clubs of America is the nation’s premier youth development organization. Our programs, training and services impact nearly 4 million children and teens every year. We are always looking for qualified professionals with a passion for improving young lives, as a member of our national staff.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Government Relations-Policy & Advocacy, the Government Relations & Advocacy Intern will support the Federal Government Relations and Advocacy departments in Washington, D.C. including research, planning and execution of events and campaigns, and other core team responsibilities related to the organization and its mission.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand the inner workings of the DC nonprofit government relations, public policy, and advocacy systems.
• How to execute and manage advocacy strategies
• How to build and manage meaningful relationships with key stakeholders to the benefit of the program and mission
• How to use essential advocacy tools and software
• How to meet challenges, overcome obstacles, and work in a dynamic team environment
• How to develop stewardship communication skills

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and track meetings and visits with Members of Congress and the Administration conducted with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local Club organizations.
• Research legislation and regulatory comments important to Boys & Girls Clubs at a national, state, and local level; Conduct web-based and other research as needed on BGCA legislative issues.
• Research, collect and aggregate data on issues critical to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s federal legislative priorities.
• Attend coalition meetings, Capitol Hill visits, and Congressional hearings on behalf of BGCA
• Create and update critical biographical and background information on Members of Congress and stakeholders.
• Assist with planning and support of BGCA’s fly-ins and/or other Government Relations events.
• Support thought leadership opportunities as assigned.
• Assist with production and editing of government relations & advocacy materials and internal documents.
• Support collection of relevant Club and youth stories related to BGCA priority issues to further enhance BGCA advocacy efforts.
• Perform basic clerical tasks, including word processing, copying, mailing, filing, managing routine office business, and provide other program, administrative, and organization-wide support as needed/assigned.
• Other related/comparable duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Must be enrolled at an undergraduate 2 or 4 year college/university or equivalent work experience
• Basic understanding and interest in advocacy, government relations, public policy & legislative procedure strongly encouraged
• Interest in nonprofit and youth development encouraged
• Strong interest in project management in nonprofit environments

Skill-set

• Strong computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, SharePoint, etc.).
• Strong verbal and written communications skills including proofreading, copy editing, writing, and oral communication skills
• An ability to manage time appropriately.
• Demonstrated professionalism and maturity and a tolerance for rapid pace and shifting assignments and priorities
• Flexibility, good judgement, attention to detail
• A demonstrated commitment and interest in the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• An ability to adhere to organizational policies and procedures as described in BGCA’s Intern Policy,Ethics Policy and elsewhere.

Personal Qualifications

• Must have in-person availability July 13 – 16, 2026
• The individual should also demonstrate BGCA’s values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, and excellence (ICARE) and integrate them into your work environment, model them in the way that you work, and uphold those same values in others.
• A successful candidate will demonstrate a track record of reliability, independent work, and creativity and is self-motivated. work both independently and collaboratively as well as an eagerness to learn

Tagged as: Interns