Location: For Fall 2026, students located in proximity to one of our three office locations (Fresno, Sacramento, or San Francisco) may work with us in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid model.  Students not located in proximity to one of our three office locations may work with us remotely. 

Deadline: Open until filled.

The ACLU of Northern California’s Legal Advocacy Department invites law and graduate students to apply for its Democracy, Speech & Technology Externship.  Students willing to work with intensity and focus will find an externship at ACLU NorCal to be a rewarding learning experience.  Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have strong research, writing, and oral communication skills; and can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU. 

About the Legal Advocacy Department

The Legal Advocacy Department promotes policy change and pursues cutting edge impact litigation to defend and expand the civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The department’s work focuses on three broad issue areas:  Criminal Law & Immigration; Democracy, Speech & Technology; and Appeals & Special Litigation.  The department’s staff is based in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno.  Legal staff work closely with other departments within ACLU NorCal, including Organizing, Communications, Development, as well as with ACLU National and California Action.

Democracy, Speech & Technology Externship

Democracy, Speech & Technology Externs work directly with one or more attorneys in support of the project’s litigation and policy work, which focuses on safeguarding free speech, privacy, and open government, in the digital world and beyond.  

Externs will be tasked with legal and policy research and analysis; helping to author reports, advocacy materials, portions of court documents, and pre-litigation demand letters; and/or assisting with legislative or other local campaigns. Externs may attend and participate in public hearings at the state and county level and participate in meetings with policy-makers and advocates as such opportunities arise.  When possible, externs may also attend appellate arguments, trial court proceedings, and depositions.  Externs are encouraged to attend and participate in departmental meetings, where prospective litigation and policy strategies are discussed.  At times, assignments may arise that provide externs the opportunity to work across the department’s three broad issue areas, including Criminal Law & Immigration and Appeals & Special Litigation. 

Applicants must currently be enrolled in law school or a graduate program in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Science, Public Policy, Political Science, Journalism, or a related field, and must demonstrate a strong interest in the intersection of civil liberties and free speech, technology, and privacy.  The Legal Advocacy Department accepts two to three Democracy, Speech & Technology Externs per term.

Application Process

School year internships are full- or part-time, generally requiring a 16 hours per week minimum commitment.  Students on the semester system must be able to commit to working 12 – 14 weeks.  Students on the quarter system can serve shorter quarter-long internships.  We greatly prefer that part-time interns commit to work full days (i.e., two eight-hour days rather than four four-hour days) and recommend that students commit as many days a week as possible for the best internship experience.  Please note:  School year interns must earn academic credit, as determined by their institution, for their participation in our Spring/Fall internship programs. 

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the hiring cycle. 

How to apply

Applications from all interested law and graduate students are welcome. (Please note that ACLU NorCal does not consider applications from undergraduate students.)  Applications must include the following in PDF format:  (1) Cover Letter that includes (a) a brief statement about why you want to work on the particular Program/Issue Area you’ve applied for, (b) whether you are interested in in-person work or remote work, and (c) how you encountered the internship opening; (2) Resume; (3) Writing Sample; and, (4) List of References with contact information.

 The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, arrest or conviction record, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, ACLU NorCal strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is supportive and free from discrimination.

Location: For Fall 2026, students located in proximity to one of our three office locations (Fresno, Sacramento, or San Francisco) may work with us in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid model.  Students not located in proximity to one of our three office locations may work with us remotely.

The ACLU of Northern California’s Legal Advocacy Department invites law and policy graduate students to apply for its Criminal Law & Immigration Project externship.  Students willing to work with intensity and focus will find an externship at ACLU NorCal to be a rewarding learning experience.  Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have strong research, writing, and oral communication skills; and can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU. 

About the Legal Advocacy Department

The Legal Advocacy Department promotes policy change and pursues cutting edge impact litigation to defend and expand the civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The department’s work focuses on three broad issue areas:  Criminal Law & Immigration; Democracy, Speech & Technology; and Appeals & Special Litigation.  The department’s staff is based in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Fresno. Legal staff work closely with other departments within ACLU NorCal, including Organizing, Communications, Development, as well as with ACLU California Action.

Criminal Law & Immigration Project Externship

Criminal Law & Immigration Project externs will participate in one or more of the team’s core streams of work, which include: Prosecutorial Accountability; Police Accountability; Decarceration; and Immigrants’ Rights.  The Prosecutorial Accountability project aims to increase engagement in prosecutorial elections, increase accountability, and draw attention to the immense power and discretion exercised by prosecutors. The Police Accountability project aims to reduce criminalization, police power and abuse of power, implementation of police reform at the state and local level, and effective oversight on police power. The Decarceration project aims to reduce incarceration and includes bail reform work and indigent defense advocacy.  The Immigrants’ Rights work focuses on projects that ensure that the civil rights of immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers are protected under federal, state, and local law. 

Externs will be tasked with conducting legal and policy research and analysis; helping to author advocacy materials, portions of court documents, and pre-litigation demand letters; and/or assisting with legislative or other local campaigns. Externs may attend and participate in hearings at the state and county level and meetings with policy-makers and advocates as opportunities arise.  Externs may also attend appellate arguments, trial court proceedings, and depositions.  Externs are encouraged to attend and participate in departmental meetings, where prospective litigation and policy strategies are discussed.  Assignments may arise that provide externs the opportunity to work across the department’s three broad issue areas, including Democracy, Speech & Technology and Appeals & Special Litigation. 

Applicants must currently be enrolled in law school or a graduate program in criminal justice, public policy, or a related field, and applicants must demonstrate a passion for criminal justice and immigrants’ rights and the overarching mission of the ACLU. The Legal Advocacy Department accepts two to three Criminal Law & Immigration externs per term. 

Application Process

School Year Internships 

School year internships are full- or part-time, generally requiring a 16 hours per week minimum commitment.  Students on the semester system must be able to commit to working 12 – 14 weeks.  Students on the quarter system can serve shorter quarter-long internships.  We greatly prefer that part-time interns commit to work full days (i.e., two eight-hour days rather than four four-hour days) and recommend that students commit as many days a week as possible for the best internship experience.  Please note:  School year interns must earn academic credit, as determined by their institution, for their participation in our Spring/Fall internship programs. 

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the hiring cycle. 

How to apply

Applications from all interested law and graduate students are welcome. (Please note that ACLU NorCal does not consider applications from undergraduate students.)  Applications must include the following in PDF format:  (1) Cover Letter that includes (a) a brief statement about why you want to work on the particular Program/Issue Area you’ve applied for, (b) whether you are interested in in-person work or remote work, and (c) how you encountered the internship opening; (2) Resume; (3) Writing Sample; and, (4) List of References with contact information.

 The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, arrest or conviction record, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, ACLU NorCal strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is supportive and free from discrimination.

Hybrid

About the job 

The ACLU of Northern California is an enduring guardian of justice, fairness, equality, and freedom, working to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for all Californians. 

The ACLU of Northern California (ACLU NorCal) seeks an Individual Giving Officer to join our development team during this unprecedented time for civil rights and civil liberties. As we challenge the Trump administration’s discriminatory policies and block efforts to dismantle constitutional protections, you will play a critical role in resisting the rise in anti-democratic and authoritarian threats and actions. As part our development team, you will partner with the ACLU community of supporters—new and long-standing—to mobilize resources to advance the work of the ACLU and build stronger social justice movements regionally and nationwide. 

This position is required to work onsite in our San Francisco office at 39 Drumm Street, two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), and is eligible to telecommute the remaining 3 workdays. This position is represented by IFPTE Local 20. 

What You Will Do 

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Development, the Individual Giving Officer (IGO) manages a portfolio of major ($10k+) and leadership ($100k+) donors and prospects, building relationships, securing financial support, and connecting donors to their passionate belief in the defense of civil rights and civil liberties.  

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual, special, and planned gifts through personalized donor engagement.  

• Conduct regular donor outreach, including phone calls, in-person visits, and virtual meetings with donors throughout the Northern California region, to deepen relationships and inspire increased philanthropic support.  

• Develop and implement engagement opportunities to nurture and strengthen donor relationships.  

• Support donors' political journeys by providing education and connecting them to action opportunities within and beyond the ACLU.  

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor information in a central database, ensuring the highest standards of data integrity.  

• Stay informed about national, statewide, and regional programmatic priorities and key civil liberties issues to effectively communicate ACLU’s impact to donors.  

• Integrate Community Centric Fundraising principles and industry best practices to enhance donor stewardship and fundraising effectiveness. 

What You Will Bring 

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in development or portfolio management. Experience in a non-profit institution of comparable complexity and scale, and with c3 and c4 fundraising is preferred. 

• Proven experience in major individual gift fundraising; specifically cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of gifts at the $10K+ level  

• Ability to understand and follow many different areas of civil rights and civil liberties work, and to describe many different areas of work in a way that is concise, compelling, and easy to understand for donors and prospective donors. 

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, stay organized, and complete work under deadlines 

• Poise under pressure, sound judgment, and diplomacy. 

• A commitment to a workplace that values and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances; Ability (or desire to learn how) to contribute to the ongoing work to build and sustain an anti-racist work culture. 

• Commitment to and knowledge of the ACLU NorCal mission and our organizational values of equity and inclusion, emotional intelligence, expansion mindset, and excellence.  

• Proficiency with office technology and information systems (including Word, Excel, and Outlook) and donor databases, preferably Blackbaud CRM. 

• Ability to travel to donor visits within Northern California, and availability for some weekend and evening responsibilities. 

What We Will Offer You 

• A base salary for this position of $89,477 - $106,030 annually, with the final amount depending on experience, skills, and qualifications. 

• Generous paid time-off policies to ensure time away to focus on the things that matter to you. 

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits (Including fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage as well as parental leave and a fertility benefit) to allow you to focus on your well-being. 

• A 401k plan and employer match to plan for your retirement. 

• Support for employee growth and development through annual professional development funds.  

• A mission-driven team that values equity, belonging, inclusion, collaboration, and growth. 

How to Apply 

• Applications must include (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter. 

• Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and accepted until the position has been filled .  

• The ACLU NorCal is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail hr@aclunc.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.  

• We truly appreciate your interest, and due to the high application volume, we may not be able to personally communicate with everyone who applies. If your application is a good match, our team will reach out to schedule an interview. If you're no longer under consideration, you'll receive an email update.  

For selected candidates, we anticipate the full hiring process will include: 

• Screening call with Human Resources staff (no more than 30 mins) 

• Video interview with the Hiring Manager (no more than 30 mins) 

• Video interview with Hiring Manager and select staff (no more than one hour) 

• Request for time-limited, take-home skills assessment or work sample 

• Reference checks and offer 

 A Note to Potential Candidates: We recognize that potential candidates with identities that have been historically excluded from the fundraising field may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. Lived experience, volunteer work, and transferable work skills will be considered toward experience requirements. We value diverse experiences and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. 

The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, the ACLU NorCal strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is free from discrimination and supportive of a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our communities and the people we serve. ACLU NorCal will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49). 

Who We Are 

The ACLU of Northern California is an enduring guardian of justice, fairness, equality, and freedom, working to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for all Californians. 

We’re looking for an Organizing Director for our San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno office. 

The Organizing Director is responsible for developing and leading implementation of the vision and strategy of the organizing, mobilization, and civic engagement/political programs of the ACLU of Northern CA. The Organizing Director also partners with staff from other departments, other California ACLUs, and ACLU National on integrated advocacy strategies. 

This position is supervisory, full-time, exempt, and is not represented by our union bargaining unit.

What You Will Do 

Strategy and Evaluation

• Set strategy and goals for organizing and political programs aligned with the organizational mission.
• Develop systems to track and evaluate program effectiveness and impact.

Department Management and Leadership

• Manage the organizing department, including hiring, supervision, professional development, and budget oversight.
• Participate in senior leadership teams and board committees as assigned.
• Coordinate with ACLU affiliates and national partners on organizing, civic engagement, and legislative advocacy.

Program Development and Implementation

• Oversee leadership development programs for volunteer activists and community leaders.
• Support staff implementing chapter programs across Northern and Central California.
• Collaborate with legal, legislative, and communications teams on advocacy campaigns.
• Guide the organization’s in-district legislative advocacy program.
• Lead political power-building efforts, ballot initiative campaigns, and elected official accountability initiatives.

Other Responsibilities

• Manage consultants and contractors.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by the Executive Director.

What You Will Bring 

• 7- 10 years of experience in organizing, civic engagement, ballot initiative campaigns, volunteer leadership development, and/or grassroots advocacy; 
• 5+ years management experience, including supervising managers and professional organizers.
• Fluency in Spanish or other non-English language widely spoken in California preferred but not required.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the Northern & Central California region, with occasional travel to southern California and out of state. 

Managerial & Strategic Leadership

• Ability to build a culture of growth and learning among staff and motivate team members to continue to learn and grow in their roles;
• Ability to set clear goals for a department/team and hold team members accountable to achieving those goals;
• Facility with planning and implementing field and organizing strategies for successful legislative, policy advocacy, and/or ballot initiative campaigns at the local and/or state level;
• Knowledge of California political landscape and major organizational players and legislative and direct democracy processes.

Program Leadership, Training & External Engagement

• Highly skilled at creating and leading activist trainings and workshops and developing volunteer leaders;
• Strong public speaking skills and facilitation skills, including ability to convey complicated topics to diverse audiences with mixed levels of knowledge and motivate them to take action;
• Ability to proactively address issues of bias or other equity and inclusion issues in team supervision and programmatic work, and in community and constituent relations;

Operational Skills

• Excellent problem-solving skills and solution-oriented approach, and highly adaptable to a shifting landscape and the need to change course or shift approach quickly;
• Demonstrated initiative, responsibility, flexibility, and good and independent judgment, and ability to maintain confidentiality around strategy, personnel issues, and other intellectual property and legal issues;
• Proficiency with office technology and information systems;

Individual & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent interpersonal written and oral communication skills;
• High emotional intelligence and ability to navigate and coach others in navigating conflict and difficult conversations.

What We Will Offer You 

• The base salary for this is $170,300 - $221,390 with the final amount depending on experience, skills, and qualifications. 

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with generous paid time-off policies, including 21 vacation days, 11 sick days, 15 holiday, and 5 personal use days.

• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits, including fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage as well as parental leave and a family planning/fertility benefit. 

• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match 

• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds. 
• A mission-driven team that values equity, belonging, inclusion, collaboration, and growth. 

How to Apply 

• Applications must include (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter 

• Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled and evaluated on a rolling basis.  

• The ACLU NorCal is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail hr@aclunc.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.  
• If your application is a good match, our team will reach out to schedule an interview. If you're no longer under consideration, you'll receive an email update. We truly appreciate your interest, and due to the high application volume, we may not be able to personally communicate with everyone who applies. 

The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, the ACLU NorCal strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is free from discrimination and supportive of a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our communities and the people we serve. ACLU NorCal will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49). 

This is a volunteer opportunity available in the ACLU Foundation of Northern California’s Legal-Policy Department.

About the organization and the department

The mission of the ACLU Foundation of Northern California (ACLU NorCal) is to be an enduring guardian of justice, fairness, equality, and freedom, working to protect and advance civil liberties for all Californians. This position offers a unique opportunity to be at the heart of the Legal-Policy team which pursues cutting edge impact litigation and promotes policy change in order to defend and expand the civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the California Constitution. 

The position

Intake Counselors support the Civil Liberties Intake Program by processing requests for legal assistance, distributing know-your-rights materials, etc. The Intake Counselor position is supervised by the Intake Program Manager.  

Responsibilities can include: 

• Answering phone calls received through our Civil Liberties Hotline; 
• Conducting initial interview questions with the callers, writing clear and complete notes during the call, and documenting relevant matters in a concise manner;
• Reviewing, evaluating, and responding to written requests for assistance, including mail and online complaints; and
• Working with a web-based database to enter and update information from the intake, as well as catalog that data within the system.

Qualifications

The ACLU NorCal values equity and inclusion and encourages a diversity of candidates from various backgrounds to apply.

Individuals joining the Legal-Policy Department team as a Volunteer Civil Liberties Intake Counselor must have the following skills and qualifications: 

• Strong commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission of the ACLU of Northern California (for examples of our work, see the ACLU NorCal's online legal docket: https://www.aclunc.org/our-work/legal-docket);
• Ability to adhere to a strict code of confidentiality;
• A dedication to ongoing learning on how to best perform intake volunteer duties;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency with or willingness to learn Outlook;
• Proficiency with or willingness to learn a web-based database; and
• Highly organized and careful attention to detail.

Helpful but not required skills and qualifications include

• Advanced or higher proficiency in Spanish (reading, writing, listening, and speaking);
• Experience with a web-based database.

Time commitment & benefits

We require a minimum 4-month commitment of at 6 least hours during the workweek (Monday - Friday). This is an unpaid position. 

To apply

The cover letter should include why you are interested in this volunteer position and what your availability will be for the coming months. 

The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, the ACLU NorCal strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is free from discrimination and supportive of a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our communities and the people we serve.  ACLU NorCal will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).