AmeriCorps VISTA - Horizons NYC

The HNYC VISTA will help ensure Horizons students receive the educational, social, and emotional support they need in order to participate in a more equitable education experience. The HNYC VISTA will do so by creating and improving on existing fiscal, communication, and data management structures and processes within to solidify future sustainability of the programs and the impact on the community. This is a one year opportunity, with tentative start date of June 20, 2023.

See here for more information about AmeriCorps: https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps/americorps-vista

Objective #1: Become well-versed in HNYC’s mission and goals, and our relationship with Horizons National and AmeriCorps.

Member activities include:

1. Visiting affiliate programs during the summer in order to directly observe and communicate the unique strengths and attributes of each program

2. Learning best practices among other Horizons affiliates

a. Review affiliate and HN websites, read grant proposals, watch webinars, read materials on the HN Resource Library

3. Reviewing materials, attend webinars/trainings, and talk to professionals/Horizons students and families about the issues Horizons addresses

a. Issues include summer learning loss, impact of COVID-19 on learning loss, educating students experiencing poverty, impact of enrichment opportunities for students, etc.

4. Actively participating in AmeriCorps requirements

a. Completing necessary paperwork and activities by respective deadlines

b. Participating in cohort meetings

c. Fulfill required lessons on Lessonly in order to understand AmeriCorps, Horizons, the relationship between the entities, and your role within them

5. Attending Horizons Network Calls to gain a better understanding of the Horizons Network

a. Take notes and report important information to RD and RPC

Objective #2: To build financial capacity and strengthen the sustainability of Horizons by: 1) increasing participation and effectiveness of fundraising events, 2) increasing grant capacity, and 3) increasing participation in HNYC’s annual appeal.

Member activities include:

1. Increasing participation and effectiveness of fundraising through events, website management, and social media

a. Assist in implementing donor management services

b. Participate in relevant trainings and professional development opportunities for donor management and fundraising best practices: reading articles, books, attending webinars and/or local trainings, etc.

c. Based on findings, assist in coordinating future fundraising events with the RD and RPC to expand and increase fiscal growth

d. Based on findings, assist in increasing participation in HNYC fundraising campaigns and events

i. Events include: Horizons Giving Day, Celebrate Horizons! Gala, Giving Tuesday, Reading Challenge, and others.

ii. Track strategies used and whether goals were met

e. Maintain current organization systems or develop updated systems to be used by staff for current and future fundraising events

2. Increasing grant capacity, and therefore HNYC’s capacity to serve more students

a. Research grant-writing best practices: reading articles, books, attending webinars and/or local trainings, etc.

i. Attend grant-writing and fundraising professional development opportunities

b. Research and help apply for at least 3 new funding sources, and write proposals in coordination with the RD and RPC

c. Assist the RD and RPC in prospecting potential future funding sources

d. Assist RPC in maintaining and developing systems that allow for effective and efficient tracking of grant opportunities, grant application, deadlines, grant templates, narratives, etc.

Objective #3: Increase the visibility of Horizons within the local community, and assist RD and RPC with programmatic communications.

Member activities include:

1. Expanding communications and attendance to “visitor days” and general affiliate tours

a. Set a goal and strategy for increasing communications about, and tracking attendance to program visits and tours

b. Communicate with the HNYC community and other relevant supporters (individual donors, corporate sponsors, family foundation contacts, etc.) to schedule program visits

2. Organizing marketing materials

a. Curate pictures, videos, quotes, and stories so they are easily accessible for emails, newsletters, grants, etc.

b. Utilize these materials in communication strategies

c. Coordinate initiatives to gather student-made collateral to thank donors.

3. Strengthening social media reach and engagement

a. Research best practices for social media use and nonprofits

b. Set goals and strategies for increasing social media reach and engagement

c. Plan and strategize promotions and advertisements to benefit fundraising events and other important dates

d. Develop new and engaging social media campaigns to showcase program participants, staff, volunteers, donors, activities, etc.

4. Identify and pursue opportunities for community connection and recognition, such as awards nominations, press opportunities, event participation, etc.

Objective #4: Assist RD and RPC in expanding the reach of Horizons programming for students living in New York City.

Member activities include:

1. Researching potential new host schools in the region

2. Researching best practices for expanding the Horizons model to more host schools

3. Researching sustainable growth models

4. Working with the RD and RPC to support new site development and implementation

Objective #5: Maintain sustainability of the HNYC VISTA position.

Member activities include:

1. Creating and maintaining personal tracking systems

a. Handbook or guide for future VISTAs

2. Participate and develop systems that can be utilized by the current and future team members

Apply directly here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=117339

You can reach us at info@horizonsnewyorkcity.org with questions about the position or process.