Development (Fundraising) Intern

IMPORTANT DATES​ FALL 2026 Applications Open: June 29, 2026 Applications Close: August 28, 2026 Internship Start: September 9, 2026 Internship End: November 20, 2026 HOW TO APPLY Independence Institute has full and part-time internship positions available for winter, spring, summer, and fall. Quarter and other alternate semester schedules can be accommodated. Candidates have an opportunity to be considered for the Liberty Scholarship that provides funds to qualified interns.

We look for individuals who are free-market oriented. Areas of study considered are, but not limited to, political science, journalism and communications, public policy, philosophy, economics, education, environmental studies, nonprofit management, criminal justice, pre-law and law school students. Candidates must have strong oral and written communications skills, research skills, and be able to work effectively with a team as well as independently.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required. To ask questions or apply, please email documents to FutureLeaders@i2i.org Your current resume A cover letter to indicate why you are interested in an internship and what you hope to gain at Independence Institute Completed application Writing sample (approx. 10 pages) it could be something you have written for class College and law school transcripts (if applicable) List of three references PAID INTERNSHIPS KOCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Independence Institute partners with the Koch Internship Program (KIP) to offer internships with a weekly stipend. KIP combines an educational approach that puts the student in the driver’s seat with hands-on work experience for future leaders interested in making a difference in the world.

Through KIP, interns learn about impactful careers in social entrepreneurship, where leaders who come from all walks of life use their unique gifts to advance positive changes in society and help people improve their lives. Click here for more information The Independence Institute Liberty Scholarship, made possible by the generous support of Bob and Elaine Collins, provides paid internships at Independence Institute. The scholarship was founded to recognize extraordinary young people who have shown particular promise as they participate in the Future Leaders Program at Independence Institute. “Bob and Elaine Collins and Independence Institute share a love of the same values that made Colorado so great, which is a love of personal and economic freedom, respect for strong character and hard work, endless curiosity, and a celebration of taking a risk to create something to bring more value to the world,” commented Jon Caldara, President of Independence Institute.

The scholarship program is proving to be a motivating and impactful aspect of the internship experience. It propels liberty-minded young people to further their academic and professional careers. With this scholarship, Independence Institute will instill the values that Bob and Elaine lived by as they worked to build their success and we hope our students expand those traits as they launch their own lives and careers.

Independence Institute would like to once again thank Bob and Elaine Collins for making the Independence Institute Liberty Scholarship possible. We look forward to honoring their support by propelling the success of extraordinary Future Leaders. FUTURE LEADERS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Our Future Leaders Program is an opportunity to learn from our experts by working on timely and relevant public policy research or projects.

The Future Leaders Program trains qualified candidates for a lifetime of influence in the center-right movement. We match our Future Leaders with a policy center director or senior fellow as their mentor to learn how to effect change using a variety of different tools and strategies including in-depth research, policy analysis, academic writing, commentary, and navigating the political landscape, all through a free market lens. Interns participate in Institute events for no fee and have a series of lunch meetings with VIPs, such as newspaper editors, radio personalities, key local leaders and elected officials.

POLICY CENTERS & PROJECTS EDUCATION POLICY An internship with the

Education Policy Center provides an opportunity for college or graduate students to gain real-world experience at a state based think-tank. An intern most often acts as a research assistant and will be given some administrative duties including data entry, creating mailing lists, and event planning for the

Education Policy Center. The mission of the

Education Policy Center is to advance K-12 public policy that empowers parents with the freedom to choose the most beneficial form of education for their children, fosters the development of effective delivery and support systems that enhance student learning, and provides accountability for the productive use of taxpayer dollars directed to education. ENERGY POLICY An internship with the Energy Policy Center provides an opportunity for college or graduate students to gain real-world experience at a state-based think-tank. An intern most often acts as an energy policy research assistant.

Projects can vary widely, and an intern should be prepared for diverse assignments of varying levels of complexity. The mission of the Energy Policy Center is to promote a free market in energy production, where no government action results in energy winners and losers. We advocate that government remain neutral and level the playing field; that way consumer can reap the benefits of a healthy energy market – competition, lower prices, and more options.

CONSTITUTIONAL STUDIES An internship in Constitutional Studies enables one to gain real-world experience in legal research, composing briefs and articles, and analogous skills. (Specific projects vary widely.) Interns serve as assistants to one of America’s leading original