People and Culture Intern

ORGANIZATION

Issue One is the leading nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that unites Republicans, Democrats, and independents to win game-changing federal reforms to fix our broken political system and create an inclusive democracy that works for everyone. Issue One educates the public and Congress to pass legislation to reduce the influence of big money in politics, strengthen government ethics, bolster U.S. elections, and create a healthy online information environment that enhances our democracy.

POSITION

As an intern at Issue One, you will play a meaningful role in strengthening our internal systems and supporting the organization’s mission. We are hiring two interns for Summer 2026, each aligned with a distinct track. Applicants will be asked to indicate which track they are most interested in pursuing.

DEI and Finance Track

In this track, you will support our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives while also contributing to core finance and administrative processes. Your work will help promote a culture of inclusion, advance our DEI goals, and ensure our internal systems are equitable and welcoming. You will also collaborate closely with our Operations team on administrative tasks that improve workflows and strengthen organizational infrastructure.

PMEL & Project Management Track

In this track, you will support our Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) efforts and contribute to project management across teams. You will help develop systems that track progress, assess impact, and support organizational learning. This role offers hands‑on experience with project coordination, data organization, and cross‑team collaboration.

Across both tracks, our interns are integral members of Issue One. As part of a growing and dynamic office, you will gain hands-on experience in research, communications, event planning, and other cross‑functional projects. You will work alongside a supportive team committed to your growth, learning, and professional development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

DEI and Finance Track:

Reports to: Culture and Finance Manager

• With guidance from the DEI committee, assist with the completion of our 2026 goals;
• Work closely with the Culture and Finance Manager on organizing company events and professional development opportunities
• Assist with rejuvenating and establishing Employee Resource Groups for those in the democracy-reform field;
• Work with the Ops Team to evaluate DEI efforts in a challenging political environment.
• Plan the bi-monthly DEI Discussion Group, including selecting podcasts, articles, videos, or books that may be the topic of discussion and putting together questions to elevate the conversation;
• Start establishing relationships with potential partners as part of our talent pipeline-building initiatives and continue to make recommendations for improving recruitment and retention;
• Update our DEI dashboard that allows Issue One to monitor the successes or challenges of our various DEI efforts.
• Assist DEI committee with monthly meetings, including developing the agenda, taking meeting minutes, and sharing updates on any DEI-related news.

Other Responsibilities TBD. Given our Human Resource Department’s fluid nature, duties are subject to change, and new responsibilities might be added based on the program's needs. Therefore, the intern must be able to adapt to program needs and remain optimistic when changes take place.

Project Management and PMEL Track:

Reports to: Strategic Operations Manager

• Support the development of new PMEL (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) systems at Issue One, including helping design processes and tools from the ground up.
• Assist with project tracking, program success monitoring, and results analysis, helping translate program activity into measurable outcomes.
• Help develop templates and systems for reporting learning, outcomes, and impact across programs.
• Support the creation, refinement, and adoption of organizational tools in Notion, helping improve internal collaboration and knowledge management.
• Interest in becoming an advanced Notion user (trainings will be provided; prior experience is a bonus).
• Contribute to building structures and processes for a performance management system that supports team accountability and progress tracking.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of quarterly strategic reviews with leadership, including organizing materials and tracking progress toward strategic priorities.
• Bring a proactive, go-getter mindset, with curiosity about project management, systems design, and operational strategy.
• Help design and maintain systems that track progress on Issue One’s strategic priorities across departments, ensuring visibility into organizational performance and impact.

REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Experience with Excel/Google Sheets to develop DEI dashboard and other measurement tools
• Self-starter who can see projects through to completion
• Commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable political system
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Positive attitude and willingness to try new things
• Demonstrated ability to generate ideas and adapt to new projects
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, as well as with a team

LOCATION

This will be a part-time internship of 10-20 hours per week. Interns can work remotely or join us on-site for a hybrid schedule, including being in our Washington, DC office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If remote, they must reside in a state where Issue One is formally established. These states include California, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and Virginia. Remote opportunities outside of these states are not available.

We anticipate this being a roughly 12-week internship, with a start date on or about Monday, June 1, through about Friday, August 28.

Intern Selection Timeline

• March 2-13: Position is posted, and resumes are collected
• March 16-April 17: Interviews occur and a preferred candidate is selected.
• June 1: Internship begins.

Special Note: While Issue One will do its best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organization will do its best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after March 3, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire

Our DEI efforts focus on empowering staff, valuing differences, and ensuring every voice matters. We aim to attract diverse candidates with varied perspectives and experiences, reinforcing our commitment to a workplace where everyone's unique contributions are celebrated.

We ask all applicants to fill out a voluntary self-identification questionnaire as part of our application. This helps us maintain our DEI commitment and create equal opportunities for success.