Farm Fresh Rhode Island seeks an outgoing and energetic Development and Community Engagement AmeriCorps VISTA member with strong communication and organization skills to build capacity of Farm Fresh RI’s fundraising and community engagement systems. An integral part of Farm Fresh RI’s team, this new position will support local agriculture and food access initiatives by communicating program impacts to new audiences and organizing systems to track and evaluate fundraising efforts and volunteer impact. This position offers a unique opportunity to work across programs and create deep, lasting connections with community partners and donors.
This position requires a one-year commitment to begin in July/August, 2022. Application deadline is June 20, 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Primary Responsibilities
- Research national best practices in fundraising and communications strategy.
- Develop systems to better connect Farm Fresh RI board members and staff about fundraising and outreach efforts.
- Support Communications and Development team with creating and executing communications with donors.
- Under supervision of the Development Team and Communications Director, help plan and execute Farm Fresh RI fundraising and outreach events.
- Act as a representative of Farm Fresh RI at community and partner events.
- Collect and organize program impact data into content for donor reporting and outreach campaigns.
- Review and revise existing Farm Fresh RI development strategies for donors and volunteers.
- Evaluate fundraising and engagement strategies, and assist with facilitation if applicable.
- Support donor appreciation and retention efforts.
Skills Required
- Excellent professional communication skills (written and verbal)
- Great attention to detail
- Self-starter and ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
- Excellent time-management skills
- Ability to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and/or Google Docs
- Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment
- Spanish fluency and other language skills a plus
- Willingness to work hands-on in various environments (outdoors at markets, inside at office)
- Able to bend and lift loads up to 30 pounds
- Must have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation. (Mileage reimbursement will be provided for personal vehicle use.)
About Farm Fresh RI
Begun in 2004 as a student thesis project at Brown University, Farm Fresh RI has grown briskly to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for RI farmers and producers. Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh achieved 501c3 status in 2007, and has since implemented a variety of programs to enhance the local food system of the New England region, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh RI operates a wide range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of local eaters with thousands of New England farmers and producers.
Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of the farmers and eaters of New England.
Vision: A New England abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced food at the heart of every table.
About AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.
AmeriCorps VISTA Member Benefits
- Bi-weekly living allowance of $575.40
- $6,345 Segal Education Award upon completion of service to help pay for college, graduate school, or vocational training, or to repay student loans
- $400 monthly rent credit
- Monthly bus pass
- Student loan deferment
- Mileage reimbursement
- Professional development opportunities
- CNCS health benefit & childcare assistance
To Apply
This is a full-year position starting July 5, 2022. Application deadline is June 1, 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
- To apply, please go to: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp and review the AmeriCorps VISTA information on that site.
- Then go to https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do and click “Search Listings.” For the search, select the “Rhode Island” and “AmeriCorps VISTA” options.
- Scroll until you find this position. Click on it and choose “Apply Now.”
- Submit your application including two references.
- No calls or walk-ins please.
Applications must be submitted through the AmeriCorps VISTA site. Farm Fresh Rhode Island cannot accept applications directly.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment for all employees. We encourage enquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. Farm Fresh RI does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability status in employment or programming. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Provider.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an AmeriCorps grantee and receives funds as part of their State and National program, and to operate our VISTA program.