The Alliance for American Leadership brings together students and leaders across national security, global development, and business communities who believe that foreign assistance makes America safer, stronger, and more respected in the world. We’re calling on Congress to invest two cents of every federal dollar in the tools that prevent wars, open markets for American businesses, and save lives from disease and hunger.

There is a place for you here, whether you want to spend a summer working on Capitol Hill, contribute your expertise alongside an existing job, or help guide the organization's strategic direction as a member of our Advisory Board.

Below, you’ll find information about our:

1. Virtual Internship Program

2. 2027 Summer Fellowship in Washington, DC

3. Advisory Board

4. Leadership Positions for Experienced Professionals

You can apply for any of these opportunities by emailing a resume to outreach@A4AL.org. You do not need to include a cover letter, but your email should specify what you are applying for.  

Internships

A4AL offers year-round internships in policy and government affairs, political strategy, and communications. Interns contribute directly to our research, advocacy, and political work while gaining experience that carries into careers in government and politics. Interns are hired on a rolling basis.

• Time commitment: 10 to 40 hours per week

• Location: Virtual or in person in Washington, DC

• Compensation: Unpaid volunteer positions

To apply, please send your resume to outreach@a4al.org. 

Policy and Government Affairs

Policy and government affairs interns support A4AL's research, legislative engagement, and advocacy. Responsibilities may include:

• Drafting research papers and policy briefs on national security, economic, and development issues

• Meeting with congressional staff to advance A4AL's legislative priorities

• Drafting legislation and other materials for congressional offices

• Writing letters to the editor

• Taking notes at briefings and congressional hearings

  
  

Communications, Digital Media, and Journalism

Communications interns strengthen A4AL's public presence and reach. Responsibilities may include:

• Writing news articles for A4AL's Substack, which reaches more than 130,000 subscribers

• Creating content for LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

• Drafting press releases and pitching stories to journalists

• Helping manage A4AL's contact lists

• Editing and maintaining the A4AL website in Framer

• Designing flyers, presentations, and graphics using Canva, PowerPoint, and other tools

Political Strategy

The Alliance for American Leadership endorses candidates for Congress who support humanitarian assistance and global development. Political strategy interns gain hands-on experience in electoral strategy, fundraising, and grassroots organizing. Responsibilities may include:

• Researching and interviewing congressional candidates under consideration for A4AL endorsement

• Supporting endorsed candidates through grassroots organizing and communications

• Researching prospective donors

• Introducing A4AL's work to business and political leaders

2027 Summer Fellowship in Washington, DC

May 26 to August 4, 2027. In person. Applications now open.

The A4AL Summer Fellowship is a ten-week program that puts fellows on Capitol Hill every day. Fellows advance the Alliance's legislative priorities, meet with Members of Congress and their staff, and attend hearings, receptions, and political events. Along the way, they learn how Congress actually works and build the relationships that launch careers in Washington.

Our connections to congressional offices, nonprofits, and campaigns give fellows access that few summer programs can offer. Fellows who do exceptional work leave with references, contacts, and a track record that open doors to future internships and jobs on the Hill and beyond.

What fellows do

Fellows co-work every day from the Longworth House Office Building cafeteria. Yes, we really do work from the cafeteria of the Capitol Building, and it puts us steps away from the offices we're working with. Here's an article about it.

Fellows meet with Members of Congress and their staff on behalf of the Alliance, and they take part in A4AL's Hill Day in late June and our Flag Day campaign in mid-July. Here's an article about last year's Flag Day.

Fellows also attend congressional hearings, political fundraisers, and A4AL media days, and they join biweekly receptions, team dinners, and Fourth of July festivities.

Each fellow works within one of our three tracks: policy and government affairs, political strategy, or communications. The responsibilities for each track are described in the Internships section above.

Housing and support

The fellowship is an unpaid position, but the Alliance covers or subsidizes many of the costs of a summer in Washington. Fellows may live in one of two shared houses with five fellows each, at a subsidized rate of $700 per month with utilities included. This is one of the houses we are considering renting for this year. Fellows may also choose to secure their own housing. The Alliance covers lunch and public transportation, and receptions and events provide food at no cost.

How to apply

Email your resume to outreach@a4al.org with a short note on which track interests you and why you want to spend the summer with A4AL. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until May 15, 2027.

Advisory Board

A4AL's Advisory Board brings together business and government leaders who inform the organization's strategic direction and sustain its work. Members include former USAID Administrator Brian Atwood, former Congressman Tim Mahoney, and Wesleyan University President Michael Roth, alongside diplomats, veterans, lawyers, and leaders in healthcare, technology, finance, international development, government affairs, and defense. You can meet our Advisory Board Members at https://A4AL.org/leadership 

Advisory Board members have two core responsibilities.

Provide strategic direction:

• Share expertise in policy, communications, government affairs, fundraising, or organizational management

• Vote on critical decisions for the organization

• Attend quarterly Board meetings

• Attend private events with members of Congress and our annual Hill Day

Fundraise:

• Raise at least $1,000 per quarter for the organization

• Board Members may meet this commitment by donating, hosting a local event at your home or a bar, sponsoring or selling tickets to one of our events, reaching out to friends and family, or engaging leaders in the private sector

Be Part of Our Mission:

Bring your skills, experience, and ideas to a team committed to strengthening American leadership around the world. Email outreach@a4al.org to introduce yourself, and we look forward to hearing how you can contribute.

Senior Staff

A4AL recruits experienced professionals for part-time volunteer roles that fit around an existing career or a job search. Positions are available virtually or in person in Washington, DC. If you aren't sure where your skills fit best, introduce yourself and tell us how you'd like to contribute.

Policy Advisor (National Security, Public Health, Economics, or Global Development)

Policy advisors bring subject-matter expertise to A4AL's work on foreign assistance and help turn the organization's priorities into concrete policy and legislative proposals. This role is designed to accommodate an existing professional career. Responsibilities may include:

• Writing policy analysis and articles on foreign assistance, national security, public health, and global development. We share articles drafted by our policy advisors on our Substack, which has over 130,000 subscribers, including foreign policy leaders across the country. 

• Drafting memos and briefs for congressional offices and coalition partners

• Contributing to legislative proposals, including appropriations language and bill text

• Supporting outreach to the administration on A4AL's policy priorities

• Reviewing and strengthening policy work produced by interns and junior staff

• Supporting the Policy Director in setting and advancing the organization's priorities

Ideal candidates have professional or academic experience in national security, public health, international development, or a related field, along with strong research and writing skills.

Communications Advisor

Communications advisors bring professional expertise in web development, press outreach, writing, or social media to strengthen A4AL's public voice. Depending on your specialization, you may lead one of our communications teams or advise its current leadership. Responsibilities may include:

• Advising on communications strategy and helping execute campaigns across channels

• Leading or advising A4AL's web, press, Substack, or social media team

• Writing and editing articles for our Substack, which reaches more than 130,000 subscribers

• Strengthening the quality and consistency of A4AL's public-facing communications

• Mentoring junior team members and communications interns

Ideal candidates have experience in journalism, public relations, digital media, web development, or political communications.

Government Affairs Advisor

Government affairs advisors strengthen A4AL's relationships with Congress and external partners and help move the organization's legislative priorities forward. Responsibilities may include:

• Leading congressional engagement and meetings with Members and staff

• Preparing briefings and materials for congressional offices

• Coordinating communication between A4AL leadership and external partners

• Keeping legislative projects on track from research through outreach

• Maintaining congressional relationships with professionalism and consistency

• Mentoring and supervising interns working on government affairs

Ideal candidates have experience working on Capitol Hill or in government affairs. 

Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officers help build the financial base that sustains A4AL's work and deepen relationships with the people who support it. Responsibilities may include:

• Leading outreach to current and prospective donors

• Drafting grant applications

• Planning fundraising events with Members of Congress

• Strengthening relationships with donors and organizational supporters

• Helping identify new sources of individual and institutional support

Ideal candidates have experience in fundraising, development, or finance.

Political Consultant

Political consultants help shape A4AL's electoral strategy and build relationships with the congressional campaigns we support. Responsibilities may include:

• Developing and refining A4AL's electoral strategy

• Leading outreach to congressional campaigns and candidates

• Advising on candidate endorsements

• Supporting fundraising events alongside A4AL's endorsed candidates

• Providing communications advice to endorsed campaigns

Ideal candidates have experience on political campaigns.