Three Americorps VISTA positions

This is for advertising only. You must apply through Americorp VISTA program https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-vista.

Those selected are allotted a Vista Daily Living Allowance. The rate for Craighead County is $41.10 per day which would be $575.40 bi-weekly. This amount is gross so taxes will be deducted.

Those selected will receive an education award that is equal to the maximum Pell Grant of the fiscal year in which a member starts service. For members starting service on or after October 24, 2022, the value of the education award is $6,495.00 for full year members. The award is in the form of a voucher (not cash) and can be used to pay for future educational training and related expenses at Title IV schools or to repay existing eligible federal student loans.

AmeriCorps VISTA Members can alternatively opt for a cash stipend. It is approximately $1,800 for a full year of service. Federal income tax and Social Security (FICA) deductions are withheld from the cash stipend at the time of payment.

POSITION 1: GRANTWRITER

Focus Area(s): Economic Opportunity

VISTA Assignment Objectives and Member Activities

Goal of the Project: To help provide equitable assess to services and resources to undeserved communities by expanding grant potential through strategic long-range planning and fund procurement that supports anitpoverty programs and initiatives.

Objective of the Assignment:

1. By September 23, 2023, procure $50,000 of funding to support affordable housing initiatives and develop tools to help 25 low-income and homeless individuals attain affordable housing through grant efforts.

2. By September 23, 2023, develop new practices so the City of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development Department is becoming more effective in seeking out, procuring, and tracking grants.

Member Activity:

Objective 1

1. Successfully procure new fundings to support project development for quality of life projects and housing initiatives.a. Research new funding sources.b. Prepare write-ups on application requirements.c. Prepare grant narratives.d. Enhance the City's clearinghouse process to ensure that auditing requirements are met in a timely manner so that more time can be spent serving community members.

2. Evaluate the City's current public comment periods for various grant applications and develop new techniques to enhance the process to reach more people.a. Create PowerPoints for grant presentations.b. Work collaboratively with Outreach Officer VISTA member and Communications Departments to get participants for public meetings.c. Track participants to ensure that target populations are being reached.

Objective 2

1. Create a long-range grant calendar to aid future planning and procurement even after the VISTA service term has ended.a. Research previously awarded funding, future funding, and create a calendar of tentative deadlines for planning activities and application components that will allow the department to plan ahead and make projects more competitive.b. Track grant dollars procured vs. grant dollars needed to complete projects. Work collaboratively with Fundraising VISTA member to find innovative solutions to funding needs.

2. Ensure that grants are serving target populations.a. Develop tracking systems for individuals being served by projects.b. Work collaboratively with the Outreach Officer VISTA to ensure that undeserved and multicultural needs are being met through funding.

POSITION 2: COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Focus Area(s): Economic Development

VISTA Assignment Objectives and Member Activities

Goal of the Project:

To help the City of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development become more effective in raising awareness for programs and services; the VISTA will recruit at least 50 students who will benefit from Public Services and receive critical anti-poverty resources.

Objective of the Assignment:

1. By September 23, 2023, facilitate an advertising campaign that brings more awareness to grant projects and services to the general public, especially those in poverty, and encourages greater participation from community members throughout grant planning.

2. By September, 2023, assist the City of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development with getting more participation in CDBG presentations.

Member Activity:

1. Enhance the Grants and Community Development Department's programmatic support in order to become more effective in all mediums of communication.

a. Design promotional materials for Community Development Block Grant programs.

b. Meet with community agencies and promote programs throughout the community,

c. Create social media graphics and videos to promote projects.

d. Daily tweets to improve social media presence.

2. Develop new techniques for gathering community feedback during public comment periods.

a. Create PowerPoints for CDBG presentations.

b. Invite people to come to public meetings.

c. Create surveys to solicit feedback.

d. Reach out to multi-cultural groups to ensure that they are well-represented in community feedback.

e. Track demographics of participants to ensure that all target groups are being represented.

Objective 2

1. The Public Services program is CDBG funded and aims to increase nonprofit capacity. The VISTA will reach 50 low income and undeserved students through public service programs.

a. Recruit more nonprofit organizations, especially those with After School Programs, to participate in the CDBG Public Service program.

b. Take photos and videos to document success stories and progress, which will encourage even more participation.

c. Develop more effective monitoring techniques of participating organizations to ensure that they are meeting all CDBG requirements; this will also act as critical technical assistance to community organizations to ensure that they are best meeting the needs of impoverished individuals.

2. Make the CDBG program more cost and time effective.

a. Evaluate the CDBG application process to determine the best way of identifying qualifying applications.

b. Develop more effective Environmental reviews for new public services in order to streamline the process.

c. Solicit feedback from participating organizations in order to develop best practices.

POSITION 3: FUNDRAISING SPECIALIST

Focus Area(s): Economic Opportunity

VISTA Assignment Objectives and Member Activities

Goal of the Project: To help the City of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development become more effective in raising funding to support crucial infrastructure and housing projects throughout the city, such as the Veterans Village, homeless shelter, and connectivity plan.

Objective of the Assignment

1. By September 23, 2023, enhance the City of Jonesboro's procurement of at least $50,000 in funds to support grant projects that directly impact Jonesboro low-to-moderate income population and vulnerable community members.

2. By September 23, 2023, develop strategies that the City of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development department can adapt to help sustain projects once they are complete.

Member Activity:

Objective 1

1. Develop new tracking systems so the City can better track and retain donors.a. Create a donor database with contacts, amount donated, and other important information so that the city can better understand who is supporting projects.b. Encourage recurring donations by supporting donor care through correspondence and thank you notes.c. Engage in semi-annual donor drives to set up annual and monthly support for projects.

2. Garner more sponsorships for major projects.a. Create sponsorship packets that are attractive and informative that can be disseminated to potential sponsors.b. Create sponsorship and support letters to be sent out for various projects.c. Set up a calendar of when sponsorships are needed by in order to facilitate goal setting and quotas.d. Work on a marketing campaign that raises awareness for projects and encourages donations.

Objective 2

a. Enhance the Grants and Community Development Director fundraising events by doing the following:i. Create guest lists.ii. Create invitations.iii. Manage event budgets.iv. Develop best practices for event logistics and planning that can be replicated after the VISTA service term has ended.v. Solicit feedback on how to make events more successful.

b. Develop recruitment strategies that support acquiring partner organizations who can help sustain projects like the Veterans Village and Homeless Shelter after the VISTA service term has ended.i. Attend community meetings and events to gather support.ii. Develop longterm budgets that clearly identify annual funding needs.

This is for advertising only. You must apply through Americorp VISTA program https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-vista.