Animator (Volunteer – Storytelling & Media Division)

Animator (Volunteer – Storytelling & Media Division)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division: Storytelling & Media

Location: Remote (with potential NYC-based collaboration)

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, literacy development, social-emotional learning, academic enrichment, and creative expression, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive.

The Storytelling & Media Division brings MAP’s mission to life through books, podcasts, short films, and digital storytelling projects. By blending creativity and compassion, this division transforms real experiences into art that inspires understanding, resilience, and hope. Our current creative focus includes adapting MAP’s original children’s book stories into animated shorts and interactive content that amplify the voices of youth and families across our community.

About the Role

We are seeking a talented and mission-driven Animator to help transform MAP’s original children’s book stories into vibrant, engaging animated content. Working closely with writers, illustrators, and the Storytelling & Media team, you will bring characters, worlds, and emotions to life — turning meaningful stories into visual experiences that resonate with children, families, and educators alike.

This is an excellent opportunity for an artist who wants to use animation to educate, heal, and inspire through creative storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate MAP’s original children’s book stories and visual narratives for short films, digital content, and educational storytelling.
• Collaborate with writers, illustrators, and producers to align tone, pacing, and visual storytelling with MAP’s mission and target audience.
• Develop motion graphics and character animation consistent with MAP’s visual identity and educational values.
• Support multimedia storytelling initiatives across MAP’s digital platforms, including YouTube, Threads of Voices, and The Bells I Hear.
• Adapt artwork from illustrated books into animated sequences while maintaining artistic integrity and emotion.
• Participate in creative meetings, offer storyboarding input, and assist in editing visual transitions and effects.
• Check and respond to emails daily, ensuring all responses are completed within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by integrating creative feedback and refining animation techniques.

Qualifications

• Experience in 2D or 3D animation, motion design, or visual storytelling.
• Proficiency in animation software such as Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom Harmony, Blender, or similar tools.
• Strong visual design skills and understanding of character motion, timing, and emotion.
• Experience adapting stories, illustrations, or written content into visual media.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work closely with writers and creative directors.
• Passion for storytelling that supports education, empathy, and youth empowerment.

Bonus Skills (not required)

• Experience illustrating or designing children’s media.
• Familiarity with sound design or simple video editing (Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve).
• Understanding of trauma-informed or culturally responsive storytelling principles.

Commitment

• Volunteer role requiring approximately 5–10 hours per week.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Fully remote, with optional in-person collaboration opportunities in New York City.

What You’ll Gain

• Experience animating meaningful, story-driven educational content.
• A collaborative creative environment that blends art, storytelling, and social impact.
• Portfolio pieces and professional references for future creative opportunities.
• Mentorship and credit in published MAP Storytelling & Media projects.
• The fulfillment of helping bring hope, imagination, and belonging to children through art.

Application Process

Please send your resume, LinkedIn or portfolio link, and a brief statement of interest to hr@mentorapromise.org with the subject line Animator – Storytelling & Media Division.

You may also apply directly here: https://forms.gle/ptgy2zBZXJB1q7GV8

Animate with purpose — help bring MAP’s children’s book stories to life through motion, color, and compassion.