We think this is the best summer job you could have. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Take it from the people who've been there. Click on the question below to see what our staff have to say.
What's the best part about working for the Fund?
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“Meeting my co-workers and getting to know them over the course of my time with the Fund was definitely the biggest highlight of the job. Working with such nice and passionate people helped me to become even more passionate about the campaign, and about life! Creating memories with my co-workers was the best, from pizza night to photo petitions to training, it was all worth it.”
- Trystan Colburn, University of California, Irvine -
“The people I met was definitely the best part of my summer canvass experience. I would not trade the friends I have made for anything.”
- Cynfor Lu, Lawrence University -
"The amazing people you get to meet is what I love the most about working for the Fund. I met people of all different backgrounds, and I got to see a lot of things from various perspectives. Being around a lot of different personalities made the job exciting and something to look forward to each day."
- Luis DeVargas, University of New Mexico -
"By having a team of like-minded people, the Fund allows for an atmosphere that is strongly committed to activism and positive change."
- Austin Sharon, University of California, Santa Barbara
What skills will I learn while working for the Fund?
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"Through my summer canvass experience, I learned how to communicate effectively and persuasively about issues I care about, both with individuals and in front of a group. I didn't just get better at public speaking, I became a better version of myself. I was once more shy and unassuming, but now I am a fierce and unwavering advocate for myself and my beliefs."
- Olenka Tytla, Boston University -
“The most important skill I have built during the summer canvass was working with a team. I was a teacher before this job and I was great at my job as long as I was working alone, but having to collaborate with a team of capable activists that all have important and valuable skills to offer in the pursuit of our goal is something that I had to develop. Working the summer canvass helped me do so.”
- Enrique Ipina, University of California Santa Cruz -
"I made tremendous strides this summer by working on my interpersonal skills. It is much easier now for me to hold a conversation with someone now than before I started canvassing."
- Massimo Saputo, Boston College -
"I learned confidence, leadership and a willingness to ask for what I want."
- Jenica Ocker, Montana State University
Will this job help build my resume?
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"I'm not worried much about success in my future career, due in part to the skills I learned. Whether I go into law, sales or any politically motivated profession, I feel that my leadership has been tried and tested."
- Alex Benthien, Boston College -
“I gained so much leadership training in my first summer that I was able to direct my own campaign office the following summer.”
- Zach Boisvert, University of Massachusetts Amherst -
“This was my first time doing political advocacy work, and it opened a whole new world for me. It lit a fire in me and led me to continue doing political work after the summer. I now have a priceless set of skills in fundraising and political advocacy.”
- Christopher Cayer, University of Maine
How much money will I make?
Staff earn a base pay between $15 to $18 per hour, which varies by location. You are paid that base hourly pay for meeting the minimum performance standard, plus may earn an additional $1 to $10 per hour or more for exceeding the minimum performance standard. Staff never earn less than minimum wage for the hours that they work. So, depending on performance and location, you could earn an average of between $15 to $28 per hour. Select your anticipated summer location below for more specific information on pay.
Boston, MA: an average of between $17-$27 per hour
Chicago, IL: an average of between $15.80-$27 per hour
Los Angeles, CA: an average of between $15.50-$26 per hour
New Brunswick, NJ: an average of between $15-$25 per hour
Oakland, CA: an average of between $15.50-$26 per hour
Portland, OR: an average of between $16-$26 per hour
Washington, DC: an average of between $18-28 per hour
Benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents
- Commuter benefit program
- 401(k) with employer match
- Paid time off
- Short-term disability insurance
- Excellent training program
- Opportunities for advancement
*Eligibility for benefits depends on your position, location and other factors.
Fund for the Public Interest, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer. Fund for the Public Interest will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Learn more about the positions available here.
What's the training like?
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“The training program gives you a set of skills on how to be an active communicator and talk to people to get them motivated to take action on important issues. The Fund sets you up for success with daily trainings, periodic check-ins and regular progress updates.”
- Emma Brower, University of Oregon
“With the Fund I learned how to better communicate with others on things I am passionate about. The culture of the Fund promotes personal development and pride in skills like fundraising and building support, and I’m proud of the really hard work I did for the greater good.”
- Matthew Fried, Georgetown University
"The training program was a solid foundation. I learned a lot from my early experience in the field, and the people that trained me taught me what to expect as a daily canvasser. The leaders that helped me early on set a precedent for my eventual leadership as a field manager."
- Alex Benthien, Boston College
What's canvassing like?
"Canvassing is a conversation with someone about an issue that may be affecting them or the environment, and giving them an opportunity to be a part of the solution."
- Mikaela Benton, Elon University
"Canvassing is more than a job — it is a lifestyle. It takes up a good portion of your time but the results make up for it. Informing everyday civilians about potential dangers to their health and environment is an important job. Seeing your hard work come to fruition in the form of petition signatures, donations or legislation is a moving experience."
- Hendel Charles, University of Southern California
"Canvassing is the best! It's the chance to go out and meet tons of people who care about other humans and the planet, and to boost your own confidence and social skills."
- Jenica Ocker, Montana State University
"Canvassing is the best way to get out there, talk to people and educate them on these problems. We have much more of an impact on politics by encouraging people to contact their representatives and help us urge them to make change."
- Perry Otto, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Is canvassing hard?
"I fell in love with canvassing; Environment Texas gave me opportunities to improve at a set of skills to use in the job, in my daily life, interviews, classes and much more. My favorite part of working with the Fund was learning how grassroots efforts play into the bigger picture of making real change."
- Madalaine Mayes, Austin College
“Yes, 100 percent, but that's the case with everything worth doing. If this work is going to make a real difference, it has to be difficult. The opposition is working very hard to overcome the power of the people. It is worth putting in the work to fight back against corporations and special interests. It makes the fight worth fighting.”
- Zeke Sandoval, University of Southern California
“I am taking away the utter importance of canvassing because it is an effective and necessary tool for educating the masses and getting them involved in the political process to make their voices heard.”
- Steven Marquardt, University of California, Santa Barbara
What kind of an impact will I make?
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"The power of grassroots organizing is an important lesson I learned, especially when it comes to big corporations. A lot of people are cynical about the power of the people but the victories we saw with fast food chains and the antibiotics campaigns were won, in part, by talking to people door to door. It is important to remember that those individual conversations really create change in this country."
- Paloma Paez-Coombe, Haverford College -
"I love the fact that I got to work with people from all over, all working together toward the same goal. I now have a greater understanding of the impact of grassroots organizing."
- Sullivan Marsters, Puget Sound University
"Engaging the public is the most important part of any campaign. The environmental and public health issues that the Fund works on have an impact on just about everyone, so it's great that we talk to individuals all around the country. Canvassing gets people talking — the people we talk to need to be thinking and talking about these issues — and puts pressure on politicians to act.”
- Luis DeVargas, University of New Mexico
Where are the campaigns located?
The Fund is running campaigns in select cities across the country. You can find the full list of locations by filling out the application and choosing the city where you are interested in working this summer.
