Our Programs
Overview
Students for a New American Politics (SNAP) PAC is a federal political action committee founded in Spring 2005 by undergraduates. SNAP was created out of the recognition that it is often financial barriers that prevent college students from participating in progressive politics, both during the school year and the summer. At the same time, increasing the number of students who are able to take part in progressive politics by providing financial options is an important method of bringing new ideas and energy into progressive politics and creating a winning progressive movement.
SNAP was also born out of a belief in the power of grassroots mobilization to secure victories for progressive candidates and progressive causes; and out of a deep committment to a core set of values that students across the country recognize as necessary to changing the course of our nation.
To that end, SNAP PAC was founded with the goal of raising money to provide funds to students to make it possible for them to get involved at the grassroots level of progressive politics. SNAP PAC's funds are distributed through two programs: our Summer Internship Program and our Fall Campus Mobilization Program.
Summer Internship Program
Students for a New American Politics PAC sent 20 students from campuses across the country to work as full time grassroots organizers on progressive congressional campaigns during the summer of 2006. By providing candidates with fully trained, enthusiastic, and cost-free organizers, we helped to provide the margin of victory in tight races—victories that proved essential to restoring Democratic control of Congress in November 2006. At the same time, by placing talented students in positions of responsibility within key campaigns, we are training and inspiring the next generation of political activists. All of the students that SNAP PAC supports are students who would not be able to participate fully in progressive campaigns were it not for our summer scholarship.
The application deadline for our 2008 summer internship program has now passed, but we are still accepting applications on a rolling basis. Apply today and help us take our country in a boldly progressive direction. Click here to download the application. Women, LGBT persons and people of color are especially encouraged to apply. For more information, contact Fellowship Director Anna Robinson-Sweet.
Fall Campus Mobilization Program
In the fall of 2006, our summer interns returned to their campuses, and, along with other students around the country in SNAP chapters, organized a massive student mobilization, sending hundreds of their peers to volunteer for progressive congressional campaigns. We knocked on the doors and made the phone calls that, building on the work of the previous summer, helped to ensure progressive victories in many of the races that mattered most. SNAP chapters mobilized with our financial support as well as organizational resources, such as our organizing manual.