Toy / Doll Maker (Volunteer – Creative Initiative)

Toy / Doll Maker (Volunteer - Creative Initiative)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromiseToys/PromiseDoll & Storytelling Initiative

Location: Remote and/or New York City (depending on prototype and production needs)

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, literacy development, and creative expression, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive.

Thread & Promise, MAP’s fashion and storytelling initiative, uses design as a medium to uplift identity, dignity, and belonging. The Toy/Doll Maker role expands this vision into physical objects — dolls and soft toys that reflect diversity, culture, and empowerment. Each item becomes both a symbol and a story.

About the Role

We are seeking a Toy/Doll Maker to design and build hand-crafted dolls or plush toys that reflect our values of representation, diversity, creativity, and hope. These dolls may be used for storytelling campaigns, fundraising, events, and future product development.

This role is ideal for someone with excellent craftsmanship, an eye for detail, and a passion for using creativity for social impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and produce dolls, plush toys, or soft prototypes that align with MAP’s mission and brand aesthetic.
• Develop patterns, sketches, and technical specifications for consistent reproduction.
• Prototype various forms (fabric dolls, muslin mock-ups, plush toys) that reflect cultural and physical diversity.
• Work closely with designers, storytellers, and photographers to integrate toy designs into MAP campaigns, events, and media.
• Source materials cost-effectively and sustainably, with a preference for ethical vendors and recycled/upcycled materials.
• Maintain quality control and craftsmanship standards across all samples.
• Check and respond to emails daily and reply within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by incorporating feedback into iterative prototype refinements.

Qualifications

• Experience with dollmaking, plush toy design, soft sculpture, fashion construction, or small-scale sewing production.
• Strong sewing and patternmaking skills (hand-sewn, serger, or machine techniques).
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple prototypes or creative iterations.
• Comfort collaborating with designers, photographers, and creative teams.
• A passion for representation and storytelling through objects and design.

Bonus Skills (not required)

• Experience with muslin prototyping, garment construction, or costume design.
• Experience in product development or small-batch production.
• Familiarity with sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Commitment

• Volunteer role, approximately 5–10 hours per week.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Remote, with occasional in-person collaboration in NYC (optional, based on project needs).

What You’ll Gain

• Portfolio pieces showcasing mission-driven toy or doll design.
• Collaboration with MAP’s design, fashion, and media teams through Thread & Promise.
• Professional references and letters of recommendation.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to storytelling initiatives empowering youth experiencing homelessness.

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org

Create with purpose — design dolls that carry identity, dignity, and hope into the hands of a child who needs to feel seen.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, our volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals who are based in the United States. This limitation is due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements associated with our work. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.