Program Performance Intern (Spring 2026)

Location:Washington DC 20006

Department:Office of Program Performance (OPP)

Employment Status:Part-Time Unpaid Hybrid DC-Metro Area Only

OVERVIEW:

Established by Congress in 1974 the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the countrys single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. LSC currentlyfunds independent legal aid offices nationwide. LSCs mission is to promote equal access to justice and provide grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.

LSCs Office of Program Performance (OPP) ensures that grantees deliver high-quality legal services by overseeing performance reviews administering grants and developing strategies to improve service delivery. OPP also manages specialized grant programs like the Pro Bono Innovation Fund which encourages creative and impactful pro bono legal services models.

The internships are based in Washington DC and will require working from an office in DC in accordance with LSCs hybrid work model. The successful candidates must live in the DC metropolitan area for the duration of the internship.

WHY JOIN US

Please note: Due to the current funding environment and broader political shifts impacting our resources weve had to make the difficult decision to pause all paid internships until further notice.

However we remain deeply committed to supporting emerging professionals through unpaid educational internships that deliver real-world experience professional development and connections in the legal and nonprofit sectors. If applicable were happy to provide documentation to support academic credit.

Although this internship is unpaid heres what youll gain:

• Hands-on experience in communications public affairs and messaging
• Opportunities to write edit and contribute to national outreach efforts
• Valuable connections within the legal and nonprofit policy space
• Mentorship and personalized feedback from experienced public affairs professionals
• A chance to make an impact in the pursuit of justice and equity

The internship is expected to run frommid-January through May 2026 with interns working between 15 to 20 hours per week on a part-time basis.

WHAT YOULL LEARN & DO:

As a Public Affairs Intern you will experience the dynamic world of nonprofit communications and government engagement. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of how storytelling and advocacy advance a mission.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assist with coordination of grant review processes and materials
2. Review and help assess funding applications
3. Support data collection and reporting using Smartsheet and Excel
4. Conduct research on legal aid delivery grantees and innovative pro bono models
5. Draft and edit documents reports and templates
6. Maintain organized electronic files and records
7. Perform other duties as assigned

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR:

We are accepting applications from current undergraduate graduate and law students as well as recent graduates of post-secondary institutions.

The ideal applicant must be:

• Dependable self-motivated and intellectually curious
• Strong writers with attention to detail and research skills
• Skilled in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and comfortable learning new tools
• Able to manage time effectively and handle multiple projects
• Passionate about public service legal access and innovation
• Bonus: Experience with Smartsheet or data management tools!

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To apply visit Please submit:

• A currentrésumé
• Acover letter explaining your interest in this internship and how your goals align with LSCs mission

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. If you need accommodations during the application process email .

OUR COMMITMENT:

We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels a sense of connection and purpose. We believe our differences drive excellence and we strive to create an environment where every individual feels valued respected and empowered to bring their whole self to work. Together we are building a community grounded in openness and trustone that provides opportunities for all team members to grow thrive and contribute toward advancing LSCs mission.

LSC is an equal-opportunity employer.