Communications and Fund Development VISTA

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Recruiting Organization: Community Food Security VISTA Project in Iowa

As a Communications and Fund development VISTA with We Arose Co-op, you will build capacity by designing outreach and fund development plans for programs, services, and events. You will contribute to the implementation of these plans through the use of software programs, standard operating procedures, and schedules. You will become an expert on the organization’s history and the landscape of local food and urban agriculture activities in the Cedar Valley while fostering support from the community and new collaborations among existing producers. You will also become well-versed in nonprofit finance and fundraising by becoming familiar with WAC’s existing funding and revenue streams, identifying gaps and developing strategies to close them. Finally, you will Implement communication plans to strengthen support and awareness of the co-op among program participants, funders, and volunteers. Throughout your term, you will evaluate past and ongoing communication and funding efforts.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

The Communications and Fund Development VISTA will earn a biweekly living allowance totaling $17,600 over the entire year, and is eligible for a post-service benefit of either the Segal education award (Currently $6,500 - equal to the value of a full semester Pell Grant) or a cash alternative ($1,800).

VISTAs are also eligible for over $8,000 in supplemental medical benefits, a childcare subsidy, paid sick and vacation days, and Noncompetitive Eligibility when applying for federal employment for 1 year after completing service.

As a CFS Standard VISTA Member, you will serve among a cohort of Community Food Security (CFS) VISTA members throughout Iowa, sponsored by the Center for Energy & Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa, and will have frequent opportunities to share knowledge within this community through regular cohort-wide meetings and site visits. In addition to all standard AmeriCorps VISTA benefits, you will engage regularly with thought leaders in local food via the Cedar Valley Regional Food & Farm Network and Regional Food Systems Working Group, in addition to being invited to professional development opportunities coordinated by a VISTA Leader in your cohort.

We Arose Co-op is a local food cooperative dedicated to elevating urban farming cooperation by building community and increasing access to healthy food options through education and outreach. We work with local farmers, social enterprises, and community members to operate a series of community educational outreach programs. The primary program, Greens to Go, is a local food outreach program focused on increasing access to affordable, locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in historically underserved Waterloo neighborhoods through outreach efforts consisting of mobile produce stands, home deliveries, and farmers' markets.

This program is designed to improve access to fresh, affordable produce in underserved Waterloo neighborhoods primarily through our Greens to Go local food outreach program. You will assist in building capacity of the co-op by identifying program needs and securing resources to sustain our urban farming, community engagement, and outreach operations.

All positions are open until filled. As is the case with all VISTA programs, we follow a schedule of start dates which allows one start date per month. Please apply at least one month in advance of your desired start date from the list below in order to be considered (new dates to be announced Fall 2023):

• January 17th
• February 13th
• March 13th
• April 10th
• May 8th
• June 5th & 20th
• July 17th and 31st
• August 14th and 28th

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training ProvidedFalse

Housing AvailableFalse

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring