The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) is a paid nine-week internship program designed for college students and recent graduates passionate about government, civic leadership, and Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. CLA provides hands-on political experiences that challenge individuals to grow as civic leaders, drive meaningful community change, and advocate for API communities.
Founded in 1991, CLA has been cultivating a pipeline of leaders dedicated to public service and API community advocacy. Since then, over 300 CLA graduates have gone on to leadership positions on their campuses, run for political office, and become leaders who shape policy through their work in politics, business, and nonprofit.
host office expectations
Offer a work experience in a professional team environment (In-person internships will be prioritized)
Provide opportunities for practicing professional skills through projects and office work. CAUSE asks that offices do not include activities that would be considered lobbying.
Supply interns with resources to complete assigned work (e.g. ID, key cards, parking, desk to work at, computer, access to printers, copiers, etc.)
Communicate with CAUSE staff regarding intern performance
Deepen interns’ understanding of issues impacting the API community and the impact of local policy
Note: Students will receive a summer stipend from CAUSE for this program. Host offices are not required to provide an additional stipend for their intern.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Event
CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) Begins
Host Office Internship Starts
Mock Election Night
Last Day of Host Office Internship
CAUSE Summer Soiree
CLA Graduation
Date
June 15, 2026
June 22, 2026
July 18, 2026
August 12, 2026
August 7 2026 (Subject to Change)
August 14, 2026 (Subject to Change)
FAQs
-
Having the intern work for Host Office three (3) days a week (24 hours) from June 22 - August 12, 2026
Select one staff person to be the intern’s supervisor and meet regularly with their intern regarding work process who will assign substantive work to their intern and complete Mid- and Post-program surveys
Provide necessary accommodations for the intern to work on-site
Communicate with CAUSE Programs Team regarding logistics
Excuse interns for Capitol Summit (July 2026 TBD)
Have at least one staff person attend the CAUSE Summer Soiree (August 2026 TBD) and CLA Graduation (August 14, 2026)
-
Interns Will:
Work at Host Offices three (3) days a week (24 hours) from June 22 - August 12, 2026
Participate in CAUSE Civic Leadership Workshops 2 days a week (Likely Tuesdays & Thursdays)
Maintain consistent communication with the Host Office supervisor and CAUSE staff (e.g. work assignments, absences, etc.)
Complete work as assigned by the Host Office
Meet regularly with their Host Office supervisor for feedback; at minimum, a midway check-in and end of program checkout
Complete a Mid- and Post-program survey
Attend Capitol Summit (July 2026 TBD) and CAUSE Summer Soiree (August 2026 TBD)
-
The Host Office and intern pairing process takes into consideration a number of factors including Host Office needs, intern skills and areas for development, and commute time. We match based on best fit.
2025 Host Office Supervisors
WHAT PAST HOST OFFICES HAVE SAID
““Our CLA intern has offered great support to our team and has helped create new processes to better our organizations communications workflow.””
““[Our CLA intern] was fantastic at asking questions, asking for help, completing her tasks in a thoughtful manner, and reflecting upon her experiences.””
““[Our CLA intern] embraces tasks with curiosity and energy. I was particularly impressed with [their] work on the follow up calls… She wrote a script and called everyone.””