Capacity Building Summer Associate: Stockton

ABOUT THE GREENLINING INSTITUTE

The Greenlining Institute envisions a future where communities of color can build wealth, live in healthy places filled with economic opportunity, and are ready to meet the challenges posed by climate change. With equity practice and systems change guiding us, we incubate and advocate for new ideas and build with diverse communities and partners to ensure that race is never a barrier to opportunity.

ABOUT SUMMER ASSOCIATE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Greenlining Institute’s Leadership Academy Summer Associates join the organization for an inclusive 8-week, cohort model, hands-on public policy, and leadership development internship to advance Greenlining’s race equity mission to remove race as a barrier to economic opportunity.  Our goal is to invest in race equity policy advocates with a deep commitment to dismantle oppressive systems. This is a paid internship position that provides a stipend of $1,200 every 2 weeks ($6,000 total for the 10 weeks). This position can be based out of Stockton or Oakland. Our offices are based in Oakland, CA, and require the ability to travel to Stockton or Oakland, Sacramento and other locations.  

PROGRAM DATES: The program starts on Monday, June 8, 2026 and concludes on Friday, August 14, 2026.     

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST

POLICY FOCUS AREA

The Capacity Building Summer Associate works with our team to support under-resourced communities to gain equitable opportunity and access to tools to lead their own transformations. 

The Capacity Building team strengthens the power and self-determination of redlined communities through partnership, investment, and policy co-development. We work with local leaders and organizations to build the relationships, skills, and resources needed to shape equitable, community-driven solutions that address the legacy of redlining and climate inequities. This position will advance Greenlining’s place-based strategy in Stockton by working closely with the Senior Program Manager to support local partners in driving equitable community transformation. The role will also help advance policy campaigns—such as Proposition 4, the $10 billion climate bond, and other equity-focused initiatives—as they directly relate to Stockton communities.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY   

Public Policy Development & Advocacy

• Support the Senior Program Manager in advancing Greenlining’s place-based strategy in Stockton through community engagement, coordination, and relationship-building.

• Assist local partners in strengthening their capacity, accessing resources, and developing collaborative projects that advance equitable community transformation.

• Conduct research and analysis on topics such as equity, community development, collaborative governance, and community ownership.

• Help connect Stockton-based work to broader policy efforts, including Proposition 4 and other equity-focused climate and infrastructure initiatives.

• Contribute to team learning, communications, and documentation to share insights and strengthen Greenlining’s capacity-building practice.

• Deepens and applies race equity lens to analyze and develop policy solutions that remove barriers for historically redlined communities

• Develops, drafts, and publishes public policy writings including but not limited to: policy memos, policy briefs, business memos, public comments, blog posts

• Delivers oral presentations for internal and external forums including Greenlining’s annual lobby day with Sacramento legislators/staffers, stakeholder convenings, Leadership Academy graduation

• Co-facilitates meetings with community, government, and corporate leaders to drive organization’s advocacy forward

Leadership Development

• Participates in all leadership development workshops to learn and apply a holistic (mind, body, spirit) and equitable approach leadership

• Learns unique leadership style, values, vision and purpose through self-reflection exercises, goal-setting activities and 1:1 coaching

• Brings lived experience to cohort and organizational conversations to offer innovative ideas and diversity of perspective

• Provides support to cohort members and engages in team-building activities to form strong working partnerships

Professional Development

• Participates in all skills-based workshops to learn Greenlining’s approach to race equity public policy advocacy

• Learns Greenlining’s keystone public policy frameworks to shape their race equity lens

• Engages with Leadership Academy alumni to expand professional network

• Develops presentation to share during Leadership Academy graduation

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• No degree or experience requirement to apply, BA in related field preferred

• Able to participate in person for the 10-week program.

• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time

• Committed to championing causes that serve low-income individuals and communities of color

• Proven ability to work in a manner that respects differences in race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance

• Willingness to try on new techniques and approach unfamiliar experiences with curiosity and openness to the process; approaches challenges that push beyond their professional comfort zone with determination, heart, and deep commitment to their personal growth. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to complete writing and public speaking assignments with high quality

• Team player who inspires collaboration, lifts up the work of others, and maintains balance and perspective with patience and a sense of humor 

• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively while demonstrating flexibility with others to set goals, resolve problems, pivot assignments, and make decisions that move forward the work

• Ability to create and maintain friendly and professional relationships with staff, other participants, and key stakeholders     

• Willing to develop and cultivate a growth mindset in your personal and professional journey.

• Feel compelled to get involved in racial equity work based on today’s political climate

• Ability to prioritize tasks, strong organizational skills, and an ability to work independently.

• Strong writing and computer literacy of PC-based Google Drive and MS Office Programs  

Compensation: Participants receive a stipend of $1,200 every two weeks.  

How to Apply:  Applications are due Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.

Application submissions must be done through the ADP career portal (include resume and personal statements responding to all Pre-Screening questions). 

Only ONE application will be accepted for the 2026 program cycle.  Choose the policy area that appeals to you the most. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of policy and academy staff. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview, with decisions announced in late-March..

Greenlining is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff and a welcoming workplace. We encourage womxn, immigrants, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and differently-abled applicants to apply.