Program Purpose: To address emergent needs of organizations across Colorado, Community Resource Center (CRC) launched GrantCorps in 2022. GrantCorps AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) Members provide information, training and 1:1 technical support to nonprofit organizations in grant development across Colorado. Nonprofit organizations are defined as those with 501(c)3 status and/or working under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)3 organization. GrantCorps focuses on working with small, rural, and systemically marginalized communities, as well as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led organizations, with an annual budget of less than $1M, and that are currently experiencing challenges accessing private and government grant funding.
By focusing on high-demand career pathways in the non-profit sector, such as Data Analysts and Grant Writers, CRC helps prepare VISTA members with the tools they need to succeed in the areas of non-profit fund development. Since 2014, CRC has hosted the Rural VISTA Intermediary Project. The goal of the project is to provide national service members the opportunity to deliver indirect services to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of nonprofit organizations. AmeriCorps VISTA members work in direct partnership with CRC and non-profits located across Colorado. CRC brings the experience and connections necessary to effectively create systemic change in the non-profit landscape.
Position Description: The Statewide Data Analyst GrantCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) AmeriCorps member role is a one-year service term with Community Resource Center (CRC). The member will combat poverty and inequitable grant access by engaging with rural nonprofits and helping build their capacity through fund development, research and grant writing. They will gain valuable insight and experience in fund development by initiating grant research, grant proposal and report preparation, resource mapping, and creation of grant and budget tracking tools. This VISTA member will compile records throughout their term of service to establish best practices for this model of capacity building and create tools to regularly evaluate success. They will create an implementation plan and provide recommendations for subsequent VISTA member(s) for improvements to increase success.
This role will address the sustainability of services to low-income communities, and the streams of funding that make access to those services possible. By doing so, the VISTA will increase the ability of CRC partners to improve educational, health, housing, and workforce development outcomes. CRC staff will support the VISTA Member and enhance their opportunities for professional development and future employment. CRC is looking for committed and passionate individuals to join this ground-breaking initiative to bridge the access gap and work towards a more equitable future.
Position Responsibilities:
1) Gain skills and receive training in nonprofit grant research.
2) Utilize CRC’s Colorado Grants Guide® (CGG) and other grant research databases to identify funding opportunities, deadlines, and key donor details and to develop customized recommendations for rural nonprofits.
3) Strengthen a volunteer program to engage statewide community members in grant research and to perform regular updates to the CGG including updates and expansions of CGG profiles and content.
4) Plan and initiate an outreach campaign.
5) Improve efforts to engage statewide funders and nonprofits in research on effective grant application and reporting tools.
6) Research diverse funding opportunities.
7) Engage with GrantCorps team to create grant tracking and CRM systems, developing recommendations for CRC and partner organizations to effectively utilize these tools.
Position Requirements:
–Ability to work full-time
-Colorado Residency
-Be at least 18 years of age
-High school diploma/GED