Government & Nonprofit Internships: How to Land One
The fastest way to get a government & nonprofit internship is to email companies directly. Government agencies and nonprofits offer mission-driven internships and often respond warmly to students who reach out. FirstInternships lists 1,361 government & nonprofit companies including companies like National 4-H Council, AAJA Media Monitor, AARP, Abelia and thousands more — with a personalized email written for each.
Why direct outreach works in government & nonprofit
Most government & nonprofit internships are never posted publicly. A concise, specific email to the right recruiting inbox reaches a real person and skips the applicant-tracking system — which is why it consistently gets more replies than job-board applications.
How to reach government & nonprofit companies
- Pick 20–50 government & nonprofit companies you'd want to work at.
- Email each recruiting inbox directly with a short, personalized note.
- Tie one real thing you've done to what the company does.
- Attach your resume, send from your own email, and follow up once.
New to this? Start with how to get an internship and how to cold email.
Reach 1,361 government & nonprofit companies in minutes — FirstInternships writes and sends a personal email to each from your Gmail. Free to start.
Browse government & nonprofit companies →Frequently asked questions
How do I get a government & nonprofit internship?
Email government & nonprofit companies directly instead of only applying online. Send a short, specific note to their recruiting inbox, connect one real thing you've done to what they do, and ask if they take interns. FirstInternships has 1,361 government & nonprofit companies you can reach this way.
Do government & nonprofit companies take interns with no experience?
Many do — especially smaller ones. Reaching out directly and showing genuine interest matters more than prior experience.