Researcher, Housing Instability & Youth Impact (Volunteer)

Researcher, Housing Instability & Youth Impact (Volunteer)

Special Projects | Strategic Research & Organizational Insights

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Special Projects

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week

Type: Volunteer Research Role

Minimum Commitment: 6-month commitment required

Reports To: Director of Special Projects

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support.

At MAP, we believe meaningful impact begins with understanding.

Through research, data, and evidence-based learning, we strive to better understand the challenges facing children and families experiencing housing instability and identify solutions that create lasting change.

About Special Projects

The Special Projects Division serves as MAP's innovation, strategy, and mission advancement unit.

The division supports high-priority organizational initiatives that require cross-functional collaboration, research, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and organizational innovation.

Special Projects works across the organization to explore emerging challenges, identify opportunities, support executive leadership priorities, and develop recommendations that strengthen MAP's ability to serve children and families.

The division functions as an internal research and innovation team focused on helping MAP think ahead, learn continuously, and maximize long-term impact.

Role Overview

The Researcher, Housing Instability & Youth Impact serves as a strategic researcher responsible for examining the issues, trends, policies, and conditions affecting children and families experiencing housing instability.

This role supports leadership, special initiatives, advocacy efforts, partnership development, organizational planning, and innovation projects through rigorous research and analysis.

Working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams, the Researcher helps transform information into actionable insights that strengthen MAP's programs, decision-making, advocacy, and long-term impact.

The ideal candidate is curious, analytical, mission-driven, and passionate about understanding the complex factors that influence outcomes for children and families.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Analysis

• Conduct research on housing instability, student homelessness, educational outcomes, youth development, poverty, and family well-being
• Review academic literature, government publications, nonprofit research, and policy reports
• Analyze local, state, and national data related to children and families experiencing housing instability
• Identify trends, barriers, opportunities, and emerging issues
• Monitor developments across housing, education, child welfare, and related sectors

Strategic Projects

• Support high-priority organizational initiatives requiring research and analysis
• Conduct background research for executive leadership and special projects
• Develop research briefs, executive summaries, reports, and presentations
• Investigate innovative solutions and emerging opportunities
• Contribute recommendations that support organizational strategy and growth

Data & Insights

• Compile and interpret quantitative and qualitative data
• Translate research findings into clear, actionable recommendations
• Identify patterns and insights relevant to MAP's mission
• Support evidence-based decision-making across the organization
• Develop concise and accessible research deliverables

Organizational Learning & Innovation

• Research innovative programs, interventions, and best practices
• Benchmark leading nonprofits, schools, and community organizations
• Identify opportunities to strengthen MAP's programs and services
• Explore emerging trends that may impact children and families
• Support a culture of learning and continuous improvement

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with teams across programs, education, advocacy, housing, development, and leadership
• Support research needs for grant development and partnership opportunities
• Assist with organizational planning and special initiatives
• Contribute expertise to mission-driven projects and discussions

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong research, analytical, and critical-thinking skills
• Excellent written communication and presentation abilities
• Ability to synthesize complex information into concise recommendations
• Interest in housing, education, youth development, public policy, social impact, nonprofit management, or related fields
• Experience with research, policy analysis, program evaluation, or data analysis is preferred
• Familiarity with issues affecting children and families experiencing housing instability is a plus

Why This Role Matters

Every effective solution begins with understanding the problem.

Every impactful program begins with insight.

Every meaningful change begins with asking the right questions.

The Researcher, Housing Instability & Youth Impact helps Mentor A Promise better understand the realities facing the children and families we serve while identifying opportunities to strengthen programs, inform advocacy, support innovation, and create greater long-term impact.

This role helps ensure that MAP's work remains informed, thoughtful, strategic, and responsive to community needs.

Success Measures

• Quality and usefulness of research produced
• Contribution to strategic initiatives and special projects
• Development of actionable recommendations
• Support of organizational decision-making
• Identification of innovative opportunities and best practices
• Strengthening of mission-driven learning and impact

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
• Support MAP's safeguarding standards, mission, and organizational values
• Participate in research meetings and project discussions

What You'll Gain

• Experience conducting mission-driven research with real-world impact
• Exposure to nonprofit strategy, innovation, advocacy, and organizational development
• Collaboration with senior leaders and cross-functional teams
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful impact supporting children and families experiencing housing instability

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume, cover letter, writing sample, research sample, or relevant project work.

Please highlight experience involving research, policy analysis, education, housing, social impact, nonprofit strategy, program evaluation, or related disciplines.

Help generate the insights that strengthen programs, inform decisions, and create better outcomes for children and families through Mentor A Promise.

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