Building Connected Communities Club Coordinator (Contract Role)

The Building Connected Communities Club (BCCC) was developed with the vision of resourcing and organizing Arkansas nonprofit organizations to engage in broadband efforts and civic engagement opportunities. To initially launch the Club, eight nonprofits were convened in 2023-2024 around broadband equity. 

The overarching goals of the BCCC are to:

• Spark excitement for community-building and democratic engagement among Arkansans.
• Catalyze Arkansas-based organizations to organize and build common vision for broadband equity and other pressing community interests.
• Support organizations willing to create a collective forward-facing plan to engage and organize in 2024 and beyond.

Arkansas Impact Philanthropy seeks a part-time consultant to lead and coordinate the BCCC. The BCCC Coordinator will help lead the coordination of a broad and diverse statewide network of nonprofits who are committed to broadband outreach/engagement, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

Arkansas Impact Philanthropy is looking for a dedicated, eager, intellectually creative, entrepreneurial team player to serve as our BCCC Coordinator to support the organization’s priority of building nonprofit capacity in Arkansas.

Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate and continue to build a broad and diverse coalition of nonprofits across the state who are committed to increasing civic engagement through specific opportunities, such as equitable broadband access. 

• Lead the Club and support outreach to hard-to-reach communities.
• Serve as a liaison and expert for nonprofits related to broadband issues and future topics such as the 2030 U.S. Census.
• Provide regular updates to Arkansas Impact Philanthropy.
• Disseminate research, facts, and relevant findings that support the Club’s education and growth.
• Plan and facilitate Club meetings, which may be held in virtual, in person, or hybrid settings.
• Be available and engaged between Club meetings.

Key Deliverables: 

• Create a dynamic strategy to build a broad and diverse coalition of community leaders, community-based organizations, and other nonprofits across the state who are committed to building connected communities focused on broadband outreach, digital equity, and civic engagement. This strategy should outline the processes that will be utilized and a timeline of activities.
• The most immediate opportunity is influencing how state broadband dollars get distributed equitably.
• Ensure there is a continued thread of building civic engagement in any future strategies.
• Lead the Club’s efforts to build connected community engagement, including serving as a messenger for broadband related information, coordinating public education messages for Club members, convening meetings, developing agendas, and serving as the go-to resource on issues related to broadband access and affordability.
• Translate messaging from the State Broadband Office into how nonprofits can be involved.
• Connect nonprofits to general communications opportunities.
• Build templates and help push the word out broadly.
• Work collaboratively with a communications partner to identify messaging opportunities, deliver toolkits/etc., and bring a broader audience.
• Recruit other nonprofits and stakeholders to engage in and advocate for equitable broadband access statewide with the goal of creating a diverse, representative Building Connected Communities Club.
• Propose representatives of hard-to-reach communities to join the BCCC.
• Provide organization, coordination, and outreach efforts to lead AIP’s BCCC work.
• Manage the day-to-day logistics and needs of Club members, including frequent touch points, trust building, etc.
• Identify effective methods for communicating with the Club and inspiring them to action.
• Provide regular updates- both written and verbally- to AIP.
 Additionally, prepare narrative reports for funders who have contributed to Arkansas Impact Philanthropy’s broadband work, following guidelines provided by each funder.
• Help build the long-term capacity of nonprofits to organize and advocate on behalf of their communities.
• Serve as a liaison and share best practices with other state and national partners. 

• Develop and disseminate public education materials related to broadband, in collaboration with Club partners. 

• Interface with the AIP Coordinator, AIP members, and relevant stakeholders. 


Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Ideal candidates have five or more years of professional experience. Candidates should be able to demonstrate experience building/leading coalitions, liaising with nonprofits, and working with diverse groups. Experience in project management, local, state or federal political advocacy and/or organizing is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build and work effectively with diverse coalitions and community groups and to work across political ideology, race, ethnicity, socio-economic circumstances, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. 

• The ability to work effectively in a collaborative context, both internally and externally.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills along with strong relationship-building skills. Tenacity, flexibility, resilience, and high energy. 

• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Some statewide travel is expected. Candidates should have their own vehicle. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Compensation: This is a part-time, at-will position compensated at an hourly rate with no benefits. Hourly rate is commensurate with experience. This is a grant-funded position that is based on an 8 month project timeline starting May 2024.

Applications: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please email your cover letter, resume, short writing sample, and three professional references to sarah@propersouthernstrategies.com. Please submit your application materials in Word or PDF format. Include all attachments in a single email stating in the subject line “BCCC Coordinator.”

Background: Arkansas Impact Philanthropy’s vision is a strong philanthropic sector that collaborates to create an inclusive Arkansas where everyone thrives. Its mission is to create systemic change in Arkansas through philanthropic collaboration. The AIP Steering Committee includes: Arkansas Community Foundation, Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation, Clinton Foundation, Communities Unlimited, Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation, Excellerate Foundation, Ross Family Foundation, Tyson Foods, Walmart.org, Walton Family Foundation, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, and the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.

Following on the momentum built during AIP’s engagement with the 2020 census, the collaborative has turned its focus to equitable broadband expansion and access. Estimates of Arkansas households lacking adequate broadband access range from 251,000 to 210,000. An estimated 110,000 of these households are not aided by any existing state or federal program.

Through our broadband initiative, we seek not only to build the infrastructure to ensure high-speed internet access for all Arkansans, but also to strengthen the capacity of Arkansas communities and nonprofit organizations to organize around common concerns, elevate the voices of marginalized communities, and collaborate on action campaigns. The intended impacts are:

• Prevent digital discrimination and promote equitable outcomes in BEAD funding.
• Ensure accurate state and federal broadband maps for underserved communities.
• Encourage local competition through community-owned networks.
• Promote online civic engagement and infrastructure.

We look forward to engaging a Building Connected Communities Club Coordinator to help us realize our described vision.