Reading Partners VISTA Development Coordinator (2021-22)

Silicon Valley, CA 

 

Reading Partners is a national literacy nonprofit that engages community volunteers and AmeriCorps service members to support elementary-aged students on their path toward reading proficiency. Our dedicated volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and life experiences and provide bi-weekly one-on-one tutoring to students, either in person or through our new online tutoring system. Our traditional, in-person program is proven to help children master the reading fundamentals necessary to become confident learners across all subjects. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Reading Partners urgently evolved program delivery to ensure students continue to receive the critical literacy tutoring in any learning environment. Our people are the heart and soul of our organization; we are all passionately engaged in a common mission to help all children become confident, lifelong learners. Reading Partners is also committed to building a culturally competent and representative team to advance social justice through our service in schools and communities. In joining Reading Partners, you'll be part of a stellar team leading the charge to pursue equity in education and expand a research-validated literacy program that works. Join Reading Partners and leave a legacy in schools and communities that will last long beyond an unforgettable and life-changing term of service. Learn more about us at readingpartners.org. 

AmeriCorps/VISTA engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. Since the program’s founding in 1994, over 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.4 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing more than 2.3 million volunteers for the organizations they serve.

At Reading Partners we have the opportunity to mobilize 350 AmeriCorps members to serve in various positions across the country.  This AmeriCorps service opportunity is supporting and implementing the Reading Partners mission while at the same time exemplifying the AmeriCorps motto of “getting things done.” Reading Partners strives to recruit AmeriCorps members dedicated to a year of service in the community. Read on for more details about our service opportunities!

The Role

The VISTA Development Coordinator is a key player in achieving Reading Partners’ regional development goals and building capacity for a network of development professionals across the organization. This is an exciting opportunity to learn the ins and outs of nonprofit fund development by identifying and developing best fundraising practices, supporting donor cultivation and stewardship, and researching potential funding opportunities. Reading Partners VISTA offers an amazing chance to give back through capacity-building roles – as a VISTA, you’ll receive benefits, a great place to serve, and the opportunity to springboard a glowing and growing career. Our top VISTA Development Coordinators are ambassadors for service, demonstrate a passion for relationship and systems development, and strongly believe in our vision and values.   

What you’ll do & how you’ll do it:


Donor Cultivation & Relationship Management - Support the solicitation and stewardship of Reading Partners’ donors, based upon a continuously updated development calendar.

  • The VISTA Development Coordinator supports the national development team’s outreach and stewardship of individual donors through key projects including donor prospect research, direct mail activities, and moves management support using Salesforce.This role works closely with leadership to ensure timely and appropriate donor communications and supports donor touchpoints and engagement efforts such as the annual appeal and monthly donor stewardship emails. This role will also support donor prospecting by assisting with WealthEngine screenings and donor data review. 

Prospect Research and Grant Writing - Support grant writing and research efforts to identify new funding opportunities and management of existing funding relationships. 

  • The VISTA Development Coordinator will support corporate/foundation prospect research and grant writing efforts. By conducting research to identify new funding partners and assess alignment between Reading Partners and prospective funders, the VISTA Development Coordinator will add capacity to the organization’s fundraising efforts. This role will also draft grant application and report templates and share grant-writing resources and documents with the wider development network. 

Systems, Data, and Resource Support - Improve systems for tracking donor information and usage of donor database; support creation and template development of local grants to increase sustainability. 

  • The streamlining and management of donor database systems are a huge responsibility for the VISTA Development Coordinator. By becoming familiar with the donor database and reporting options, the VISTA Development Coordinator will support the national development team’s data management and integrity, as well as document donor partnership records for future development activities. The VISTA Development Coordinator will also increase development capacity by gathering materials for reports and proposal templates; identifying potential funders and ask strategies for donor pipeline; and supporting the development team to customize and compose templates/reports. 

Building Capacity for Regional Fundraising- Adding organizational capacity through resource-sharing and positive culture efforts. 

  • The VISTA Development Coordinator will foster resource-sharing and support regional fundraising efforts through prospect research, creating new language, and drafting template materials for grants, special events, and campaigns as needed. 
  • This role will help build community and culture across Reading Partners’ development network to support alignment around a common goal and mission. 



About You!

You’ll be successful in this role if you:

  • Are dedicated to national and community service
  • Root your service in our vision & values
  • Can problem-solve through challenges and failures
  • Are flexible given the ever-changing environment of serving in public schools, and are adaptable in both work style and work environment
  • Understand this position is an AmeriCorps service commitment
  • Are dedicated to successfully completing a full term of service.
  • Demonstrate a passion for working with children
  • Possess a natural ability to connect with people
  • Are eager for a dynamic schedule
  • Pay strong attention to detail and manage competing priorities effectively
  • Boast a deep belief in and passionately promote our mission
  • Demonstrate a love for relationship-building and public speaking
  • Demonstrate an eagerness to train and manage volunteers
  • Take initiative in meeting goals and seeking professional growth
  • Can quickly learn new technology systems like Salesforce and have a high level of comfort with Google Apps and Zoom Conferencing 
  • Possess a high school diploma or GED
  • Hold US Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status
  • Have not completed more than three (3) prior AmeriCorps or VISTA service terms

Bonus Points if you:

  • Are an AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alum/alumna
  • Have experience volunteering with other community-based or education program

 

What we offer:

  • VISTA members earn an annual compensation of $29,920.80 through a living allowance from the VISTA program. 
  • The VISTA program will authorize relocation allowance if a VISTA member moves more than 50 miles.
  • AmeriCorps/VISTA members are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage at no cost for our members; childcare assistance is available through VISTA for those who qualify.
  • AmeriCorps members can earn an education award of $6,195 after successfully completing their service term.
  • You may be eligible for student loan forbearance on federal student loans.
  • We offer an exciting and dynamic culture, and we commit to investing in and supporting our amazing people to grow their careers with us. As such, we provide ongoing professional development opportunities.

The other things you need to know:

  • Service Terms:  VISTA members serve full-time (approximately 40 hours/week) for a 12-month, 365-day term. This VISTA member would serve from mid-November, 2021 through mid-November, 2022
  • Travel: VISTA members may need to travel between Reading Partners sites and offices; reliable transportation is recommended.
  • Orientation: Reading Partners VISTA members attend a virtual VISTA Service Orientation in addition to attending Reading Partners trainings. Your direct supervisor will provide role-specific training as well. 
  • Where we serve: This position will serve as a VISTA Development Coordinator in the Silicon Valley, CA

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

_________________________________

Reading Partners is an Equal Opportunity Organization, with a strong commitment to diversity in the workplace.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Position will remain posted until filled. No phone inquiries.

At Reading Partners we respect and honor the diversity in our workforce, and we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
View Company Information

To see other positions, click here.