Policy Intern in Detroit, Michigan at WE THE PEOPLE ACTION FUND

2025 Policy Team Intern

Position Location: Position is hybrid, and the intern must be based in Southeast Michigan and be able to travel to the WTPMI office (SW Detroit). The schedule is flexible, but we project an average of 1 in-person in-office day per week, some weeks requiring 1 - 2 days in person and some weeks fully remote. Most in-person work days will be communicated in advance and the team will collaborate with the intern's schedule.

About We The People: We The People Action Fund (WTPAF) (501c4), along with and through its sister organization, We The People Michigan (WTPMI) (501c3), works to build a multi-racial, working-class constituency across the state that is engaged in community organizing, the development of leaders, and the building of a unified, proactive agenda rooted in economic, racial, and social justice for all Michiganders. In 2018, people from all corners of Michigan came together to outline The People's Agenda, a vision for a Michigan in which all people have dignity, that is safe and sustainable, that protects our democracy, and that acknowledges our history. Since then, We The People Action Fund and We The People Michigan have been organizing across the state in support of this living, evolving vision.

About the Position: The Policy Team seeks an intern for our 2025 summer program. Through policy, organizing, and researched-based training and projects, the intern will gain valuable experiences in the role of nonprofit organizations in grassroots organizing and the policy process.

Logistical Requirements:

• Is an undergraduate student at a college/university.
• Is able to work part-time (20-25 hours per week) between June 2 - August 8, 2025.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Grow awareness of current public policy issues in Michigan.
• Develop an understanding of WTPMI's work, vision, and relationships with key partners.
• Participate in training sessions as organized by the Policy Team.
• Improve skills in legislative research, policy analysis, understanding of local and state budgets, and power-mapping.
• Attend internal and external meetings as part of the Policy Team, and speak on our policy issues externally as needed.
• Conduct research for issues related to housing, immigration, corporate accountability, and education justice.
• Other duties as assigned to support the Policy Team.

The ideal intern has:

• A proven commitment to fighting for economic, racial, and social justice for all, using approaches such as social justice advocacy, community organizing, and policy advocacy.
• An ability to identify concerns impacting Michigan communities and collaborate with the WTPMI team and partner organizations to effectively work towards a solution. This includes the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely to co-workers, community members, and legislators.
• A demonstrated interest in legislative and/or policy research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills toward a variety of audiences (i.e. co-workers, community members, and legislators). This includes a comfort with public speaking, which will be called upon when necessary to advance our advocacy.
• A desire to apply skills and practices from this policy internship to foster grassroots power in their own community.
• Strong connections to WTPMI campaign issue areas and lived experiences in Michigan.
• Desire and ability to learn on the job and apply this new knowledge.

Compensation: This is a part-time temporary position. Interns will be compensated at $17/hr.

Work Schedule: The internship is a 10-week commitment that will take place from June 2 - August 8, 2025. Interns must commit to working part-time, 20-25 hours per week, during standard business hours with flexibility. WTPMI observes Juneteenth (6/19) and Independence Day (7/4) as holidays.

Application Timeline: We invite all interested candidates to apply Here . Applications are due by the end of the day on March 31, 2025. You will be notified by April 4, 2025 if you are invited to a final round interview. Final round interviews over Zoom will take place between April 9 - 11, 2025.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact annabella@wethepeoplemi.org!

We The People Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ people, and those of other marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.