Summer Associate Program

Summer Associate Program: Spend the Summer Honing Your Leadership Skills

Program Type: Intensive 10-week professional development and policy training program for college students and early-career leaders

Geographic Scope: Bay Area (Oakland, CA) - participants must reside within traveling distance of The Greenlining Institute's office in downtown Oakland

Focus Areas:

• Real-world policy experience
• Issues impacting California and the nation
• First-hand experience and training across Greenlining's policy focus areas

Program Duration 2026: Monday, June 8, 2026 to Friday, August 14, 2026 (10 weeks)

Work Schedule:

• Full-time intensive program
• 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Expected to work all 10 weeks

Cohort Size: Between 5 and 10 individuals selected annually (contingent upon programmatic goals and resources available)

Application Status: 2026 applications are now closed

Program Experience & Activities

Summer Associates will:

• Receive regular mentorship, professional and personal skill development
• Participate in leadership and policy skills workshops
• Attend conferences and meetings with key stakeholders
• Conduct site visits to community organizations, government and corporate entities
• Conduct research, write reports, and publish blogs
• Testify at key policy hearings
• Participate in meetings with top government officials, elected officials, private sector CEOs and non-profit leaders
• Present research findings and projects in both written and oral capstone report at end of program

Eligibility Requirements

Target Audience:

• College students
• Early-career leaders
• Individuals seeking real-world policy experience and professional growth

Qualifications:

• Passionate thought leaders
• Vision for equitable and just future for communities of color
• Deep personal connection to Greenlining's mission

Visa Sponsorship: No visa sponsorship available for international applicants

Compensation

Stipend: $1,200 every two weeks during the 10-week program

• Total Program Compensation: $12,000 (5 bi-weekly payments x $1,200)
• Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly stipend payments
• Requirement: Program participants required to submit W-9 at beginning of program with social security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

Program Format

Work Model: Hybrid - primarily in-person with remote work flexibility

• Must reside within traveling distance to downtown Oakland office
• Work schedule primarily in-person at Greenlining offices

Application Restrictions

• Applicants may apply to EITHER the Fellowship OR the Summer Associate program—not both
• Applicants may only apply to ONE of the Summer Associate positions
• Applicants encouraged to take time to think about which role best aligns with their interests before beginning application

Housing & Support

• No housing or relocation stipends available
• If selected, team provides list of housing resources
• Team helps participants find temporary housing in Bay Area by connecting them to organizational networks

Selection Timeline

• Application Deadline: Varies by year (2026 applications now closed)
• Application Closing: To ensure equitable process, late applications cannot be accepted
• Review Process: Together with policy team staff, all complete applications reviewed and evaluated
• Interview Stage: Top candidates selected to participate in interviews (generally 2-5 weeks after application closing date)
• Selection & Notification: Participants selected and notified in April or earlier

2027 Cohort Information

Interested candidates for 2027 cohort should fill out the interest form to be notified when 2027 applications open.

Application Process

Current Status: 2026 Summer Associate program applications are now closed

For 2027 Cohort:

1. Fill out the interest form to be notified when 2027 applications open
2. Wait for notification of 2027 application opening and deadline
3. Submit complete application materials before deadline
4. Participate in interview process if selected (generally 2-5 weeks after deadline)
5. Receive selection notification in April or earlier

Review & Selection Process

Application Review:

• Together with policy team staff, Greenlining reviews and evaluates every complete application
• Top candidates are selected to participate in interviews
• Interviews generally occur 2-5 weeks after application closing date
• Selection and notification occurs in April or earlier

Important Notes:

• To ensure equitable process, late applications cannot be accepted
• Applicants recommended to submit materials well in advance of deadline
• All candidates receive notification about application status

Required Materials & Submission

Specific application materials and format requirements are not detailed in the provided content. Applicants should:

• Contact academy@greenlining.org for complete application instructions
• Prepare to demonstrate passion for equity and policy work
• Prepare writing samples and materials showcasing professional growth potential

Post-Selection Requirements

• Once selected, Summer Associates asked to complete W-9 Form with social security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• W-9 must be completed at beginning of program before stipend payments begin