The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program: Reclaiming America’s Youth

When you look at the culture, it’s easy for some to assume that the current generation of young adults is a lost cause. But there is reason to believe otherwise.

Not every young adult is a radical leftist like the ones we see on the news. In fact, many young adults still respect America’s Founding principles and want to do their part to impact America for the conservative values and principles that make our nation so special.

To make sure that these young people are equipped with the knowledge and skills that they will need to help conservatism endure for the next generation, The Heritage Foundation created the Young Leaders Program. 

Through the Young Leaders Program, Heritage is speaking on college campuses, giving students the facts and empowering them to bold on their conversations student briefings. And we are winning the hearts and minds of thousands of young people.

How the Young Leaders Program began

The Heritage Foundation Internship Program began in 1979 and hosted a small number of interns each year. It has since grown into one of the most sought-after internship opportunities in Washington, hosting nearly 185 interns a year. 

Over the course of 12 – 15 weeks in the spring, summer, and fall semesters, these young conservatives deepen their conservative convictions, hone their professional skills, and work alongside Heritage’s most effective policy experts. 

Heritage interns are treated like staff on the Heritage team. They work closely with our policy experts, conduct challenging research projects, and gain critical experience in resume writing, networking, and other professional skills. Most importantly, our interns go in-depth in their study of American political thought. They discuss the origins of liberalism and conservatism during regular lectures with leading constitutional historians so that they can understand the war of ideas in which America is now engaged. 

For more information on applying to the Young Leaders’ Program >>

Former Heritage interns are leading the conservative movement now

What do Sen. Tom Cotton, R-AR; Republican political strategist Ford O’Connell; National Review editor Rich Lowry; Tucker Carlson; and former Republican Study Committee Director Will Dunham all have in common? They all interned at Heritage!

“It feels like everywhere I go someone in the conservative movement got their start at Heritage, or had some sort of connection to Heritage,” says Megan Decker, a spring 2018 intern. We understand the prominent role we play in the conservative movement and strive to help interns succeed. 

Empowering the Next Generation to Reclaim America

As long as The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program is educating hundreds of focused, articulate young conservatives each year, there will always be a reason to have hope for America’s future. Gil Gatch, a Spring 2018 intern, said, “When you hold your own in an argument in a classy, respectable way, it energizes people who weren’t courageous at first.” Through Heritage’s Young Leaders Programs, hundreds of young adults each year are gaining the skills, experience, and knowledge they need to boldly express their beliefs and to inspire others to do the same. 

Because of the generosity of members who support the Young Leaders Program or who even sponsor an intern for a semester, these young people are able to change the cultures in their colleges and communities, and fight for the principles of freedom, enterprise, and civil society.

If you would like to find out more about sponsoring an intern for a semester, click here >>

Through your support of The Heritage Foundation, you enable future leaders to gain a firm foundation in conservative thought and go on to reshape the country that they love. Thank you!