Editor-in-Chief (Volunteer)

Description

Editor-in-Chief (Volunteer)

PromisePress | Editorial & Publishing Office

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: PromisePress — Editorial & Publishing Office

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type: Volunteer (Senior Editorial Leadership Role)

About Mentor A Promise & PromisePress

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and community-based initiatives.

PromisePress is MAP’s publishing and narrative division. It oversees children’s books, essays, reports, blogs, scripts, and long-form storytelling that shape how families, educators, partners, and the public understand housing instability, dignity, and opportunity.

PromisePress operates with a strong commitment to editorial integrity, trauma-informed practice, cultural responsiveness, and ethical storytelling.

Role Overview

The Editor-in-Chief (Volunteer) is the senior editorial authority within PromisePress / the Editorial & Publishing Office. This role sets and safeguards MAP’s editorial vision, standards, and ethics across all published content.

The Editor-in-Chief ensures that every piece of content—whether a children’s book, report, essay, or script—is accurate, developmentally appropriate, mission-aligned, and produced with care for consent, dignity, and child safety.

This role works closely with the Executive Office, Children’s Books Lead, Acquisitions, Communications, and Creative teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and steward the editorial vision, voice, and standards for PromisePress
• Oversee all editorial output across children’s publishing, digital content, and media
• Establish and uphold editorial ethics, consent protocols, and safeguarding standards
• Review and approve high-impact or sensitive content
• Lead, mentor, and support editors, writers, and editorial volunteers
• Establish editorial workflows, review processes, and quality controls
• Collaborate with Children’s Books, Acquisitions, Art Direction, and Communications teams
• Serve as senior editorial advisor to MAP leadership

Qualifications

• Experience in editorial leadership, publishing, journalism, or content strategy
• Strong editorial judgment and command of tone, clarity, and narrative integrity
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed and culturally responsive storytelling
• Experience managing or mentoring writers and editors
• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values

Preferred Backgrounds

• Children’s publishing, nonprofit media, education, or public-interest journalism
• Experience working with sensitive subject matter or vulnerable communities
• Familiarity with editorial governance, style guides, and publishing workflows
• Experience shaping editorial policy or content standards

Commitment

• Volunteer senior leadership role within PromisePress
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

What You’ll Gain

• Executive-level editorial leadership experience in nonprofit publishing
• Direct influence over MAP’s public narrative and children’s literature
• Collaboration with writers, educators, artists, and leadership
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to steward ethical, meaningful stories with lasting impact

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist, please include your resume and cover letter.

Help lead PromisePress—ensuring every word published by MAP reflects care, integrity, and respect for the children and families we serve.

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.