Service + Citizenship Academy

Learn how you can make a local and global impact through a social sector career, volunteerism and community leadership. The Service + Citizenship Academy is a supplemental program designed to complement your nonprofit internship experience. Exclusive events and briefings will provide a deeper examination of the critical policy issues affecting urban communities.

It is a good fit for students interested in working toward positive change through civic engagement and is designed enhance their leadership skills in both the workplace and community. 

In addition to the activities within your program track, you’ll also:

  • Attend lectures about the intersection of issues charities are trying to solve and the public policy process.
  • Impact the Washington, DC community firsthand by participating in local service projects.
  • Expand your network through site-briefings and panels with nonprofit leaders and scholars.
Eligibility and Selection Process
Service + Citizenship Academy participants help prepare meals for those in need at So Others Might Eat in Washington, D.C.

The academy is a supplemental program that is open to all students participating in a TFAS program and interning with a nonprofit organization. The Admissions Committee will extend invitations to engaged citizens with a strong interest in the nonprofit sector in the weeks leading up to the start of the program. Enrollment will be limited to allow for small group discussions and networking.

Students may apply to after enrolling in one of The Fund for American Studies Summer Academic Internship Program tracks:

Nonprofit Internships

Internships with local charities, national nonprofit organizations and foundations are available in a wide variety of issue areas in any of the above program tracks. Be sure to let your program coordinator know you are interested in an internship within the social sector. Here is a sampling of nonprofit internships.

There are more than 12,000 nonprofits in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.
  • Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • American Council of Trustees and Alumni
  • Association of Diplomatic Studies & Training
  • Character.org
  • Ethiopian Community Development Council
  • Family Online Safety Institute
  • Food & Friends
  • Institute for Sustainable Development
  • League of United Latin American Citizens
  • National Down Syndrome Society
  • Partnership for Transparency Fund
  • Rock Creek Conservancy
  • So Others Might Eat
  • United Mission for Relief and Development
Direct Service
In 2019, students completed more than 260 hours of service.

Students in this academy will directly impact the Washington, DC community by engaging in several service projects during the summer. Participants will attend an exclusive briefing and service project led by the founder of a local organization. Students will also be given priority registration for Service Saturday, a unique event where more than 100 students volunteer with numerous service-based organizations in the Washington, DC area. Past sites have included:

  • Casey Trees
  • Ronald McDonald House
  • Washington Parks and People
  • Trust for the National Mall
  • Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy
  • Jubilee Jobs
  • Iona Senior Services
  • So Other Might Eat
Lectures + Seminars

Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions that strengthens their understanding of how to support local and global communities and inspire a lifelong commitment to community and civic engagement. These events will enhance students’ knowledge on critical issues facing the service community, as well as providing the chance to learn directly from community leaders on how to be an effective leader in the future.

Students in the Service + Citizenship Academy have access to exclusive networking opportunities with executives at some of the largest nonprofits in the country.
  • Tocqueville’s Democracy in America – dive into the unique history of philanthropy in America with Georgetown professor Richard Boyd.
  • The Economics of Foreign Aid – learn more about the unintended consequences of foreign aid featuring The Fund for American Studies Academic Director Dr. Anne Bradley.
  • Executive Leadership Panel – round table luncheon with leaders of Washington, DC community-based and national nonprofit organizations.

Students who attend all of the program events will receive special recognition at the closing ceremony.

Questions may be directed to Melissa Grannetino at mgrannetino@TFAS.org.