Volunteer Role: Prospecting & Ecosystem Research (Internal, Early-Stage)

About the project

I’m in the early stages of building a member-supported nonprofit focused on helping mothers of infants and young children access practical, in-home support during a period when caregiving demands are often highest, and support can be hardest to find.

I’ve already spent time talking with mothers of infants and young children - including many single mothers - along with caregivers and adjacent service providers, and have a working hypothesis around a member-supported model. Before finalizing Phase 1, I’m intentionally stepping back to map the broader landscape and pressure-test assumptions.

This role is internal and research-focused. This role does not involve outreach, posting in groups, or representing the organization externally.

What this role involves

Volunteers may support one or more of the tracks below, depending on interest and experience.

Initial research will focus on Metro Detroit (Sterling Heights and surrounding areas), where we are piloting locally. As the model evolves, there may be opportunities to support research in additional regions.

Volunteers will be supported with a simple starting framework and examples, but should be comfortable working independently and documenting findings clearly.

Number of hours per week: 3-5

Number of weeks: 4+

Pay: Volunteer

Track A: Participant-channel prospecting (where our moms already are)

Help identify and organize places where our target mothers already spend time, such as:

• relevant Facebook groups
• neighborhood or community listservs
• local parent or postpartum groups
• libraries, community centers, or similar hubs
• adjacent practices or services (e.g., lactation groups, doulas, pediatric offices) for future reference

Output:

A simple spreadsheet with links and notes (who it serves, general vibe, geographic focus, size/activity, any obvious rules or constraints).

Track B: Ecosystem & model benchmarking (desk research only)

Research adjacent nonprofits, programs, or services and capture:

• what they offer
• who they serve and how eligibility is defined
• how they’re funded (membership, grants, donations, mixed)
• what appears to work well
• where gaps or unmet needs seem to exist

This is publicly available research only (websites, reports, articles).

Output:

A comparison spreadsheet and a short written summary of patterns and insights.

Track C: Volunteer-source & model feasibility research

Help explore questions like:

• Where might volunteers for this kind of work realistically come from?
• What skills or availability do they tend to have?
• What support or structure would volunteers likely need to be successful?
• What do other organizations do to manage volunteers sustainably?

This track may also include:

• reviewing member-supported or subscription-style nonprofit models
• noting what members typically receive in exchange for dues
• identifying tradeoffs and risks in different approaches

Output:

Notes, spreadsheets, or short summaries outlining options, patterns, and considerations.

What this role is not

• No outreach to families
• No posting in Facebook or community groups
• No contacting organizations or conducting interviews
• No fundraising or donor solicitation
• No public-facing representation of the organization

If/when outreach or conversations become part of the work, that will be a separate, clearly defined role later.

Time & structure

• Flexible and low-commitment
• Mostly asynchronous
• Clear scope and boundaries
• Well-suited for someone who enjoys research, systems thinking, and organizing information

Why this role matters

Before launching a Phase 1 pilot or formal membership model, it’s critical to understand:

• where the right families are
• what already exists
• what gaps are real
• what is operationally and financially feasible

This role helps build that clarity thoughtfully and responsibly.

Outputs do not need to be perfect or exhaustive, they just need some detailed attention. This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys independent research with light guidance and clear outcomes.