ABOUT WEPOWER

WEPOWER is building a team full of dreamers and doers. We partner with Black and Latinx communities to build power to re-design education, health, economic, and justice systems to be just and equitable for all. We engage the community and amplify their voices to inform critical decisions that impact their lives. We train community members to advocate and lead change. We invest in businesses and provide coaching and connections as they create jobs in the communities with whom we partner. We envision a future where we all have to power to lead, so every community prospers. Join us. Let's build together!

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director of Communications & Storytelling, the Communications & Development Fellow (CDF) is a 12-month AmeriCorps VISTA position. “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.”

The CDF will be responsible for designing, piloting, and evaluating WEPOWER's fundraising model, social media engagement model, and also leading storytelling efforts among the community members with whom we partner.

AFTER THE FIRST 12 MONTHS, WE WILL CELEBRATE...

1. The design, pilot, and evaluation of a sustainable fundraising system to support WEPOWER's growth and sustainability.  
2. The design, pilot, and evaluation of a sustainable social media and electronic communications system to support WEPOWER's growth and sustainability.
3. The design, pilot, and evaluation of a storytelling model that engages and amplifies the stories of community members who participate in WEPOWER's programming.

YOU WILL...

BY END OF MONTH ONE, DESIGN A GRANT TEMPLATE AND A DATABASE OF ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES GRANT OPPORTUNITIES. (5%)

• Research and compile commonly questions asked on grant applications.
• Complete an audit of previously submitted grant proposals to assess what information exists and gaps that need to be addressed compared to commonly asked questions.
• Interview CEO and program team leads to capture most up-to-date information in response to commonly asked grant questions.
• Design a grant proposal template that includes general organizational information and up-to-date responses to each commonly asked question.
• Research relevant local and national grant opportunities, design and populate a spreadsheet to capture all important information including deadlines, links to applications, key contact person, and recommendations for how to cultivate a relationship with the prospective funder.

BY END OF MONTH 12, SUBMIT AT LEAST TWENTY GRANT APPLICATIONS TO SUPPORT WEPOWER'S FUND DEVELOPMENT GOALS. (25%)

• Develop draft grant and funding proposals.
• Review draft proposals with the CEO and team leader who oversees the program and make edits for a final copy.
• Collect supplemental materials from the appropriate team members (i.e. budgets, financials, logic models, etc.).
• Submit all proposals within the deadline.
• When possible, arrange for a member of the WEPOWER team to meet with the prospective funder.

BY END OF MONTH 12, DESIGN AND MANAGE DONOR CULTIVATION AND STEWARDSHIP COMMUNICATIONS, SYSTEMS, AND PROCESSES. (30%)

• Work with the CEO, development consultant, and development committee to design a standard donor prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship strategy and processes to support.
• Pilot the strategy and processes with the CEO, development consultant, and development committee
• Manage prep and follow-up from donor meetings.
• Manage CEO, board, and development committee communications and engagement with donors
• Design and pilot a fundraiser event model to increase funds raised for WEPOWER.

BY END OF MONTH 12, DESIGN AND MANAGE SOCIAL MEDIA AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION. (25%)

• Work with the Director of Communications & Storytelling to design a process and schedule for weekly social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
• Work with the Director of Communications & Storytelling to design a process and schedule for ongoing email blast to WEPOWER's target audiences.
• Pilot the weekly social media plan.
• Coordinate with the Director of Communications, CEO, and program teams to curate content for social media and email blasts.
• Meet with each program team to assess their recruitment timeline, goals, and needs, then co-design a communications plan to support recruitment.
• Work with the Director of Communications & Storytelling to ensure each program has the communications collateral and tools they need.
• Pilot recruitment plan via electronic platforms and social media

BY END OF MONTH 12, PILOT STORYTELLING GROWTH AND LEAD INTERVIEWING OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN WEPOWER PROGRAMMING. (15%)

• Interview program participants and develop draft stories from interviews.
• Coordinate with Director of Communications & Storytelling around story formats and publication.
• Work with the Director of Communications & Storytelling to develop organization wide storytelling themes.
• Generate ideas for amplifying the stories across local and national media platforms.

YOU ARE...

• An Authentic Listener & Innovative Communicator. 
• Entrepreneurial & A Strategic Leader.
• Thorough. 
• A Champion of Racial & Cultural Identity Development. 
• Results Oriented.

YOUR EDUCATION & EXPERIENCES INCLUDE...

• Strong traditional and creative writing
• Effective and creative management of social media platforms
• Working with communities of color and communities impacted by poverty
• Strong project management
• Designing and creating new things

This position will access significant professional development, and be prepared to pursue a career in fundraising and communications.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The CDF will have the flexibility to recruit, select, and supervise interns, practicum students, fellows, and volunteers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Fun. Fast. Focused. Values-driven. Community-centered. Collaborative. Innovative. Lots of brainstorming and imagining what's possible and then chasing each possibility until it is reality!

As a startup, WEPOWER demands extreme commitment and agility, AND we value each team member's personal life circumstances and priorities. We will work together to ensure the organization prioritizes the health, social-emotional wellbeing, and morale of each team member! Some evening and weekend work will be expected.

There will be 24-hour access to a co-working space with printing, conference rooms, phone booths, snacks, drinks, and the opportunity to be in community with other innovators, entrepreneurs, and entrepreneur support organizations.

COMPENSATION

VISTAs are technically considered volunteers. As a VISTA member, you receive a bi-weekly living allowance, an education award of $6,095 to support current student loan debt or to go towards future educational endeavors.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ENVIRONMENT

At WEPOWER, we don't just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our team, our programs, and our community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or belief, or genetic information.

This description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

PROCESS

ROUND 1: Apply.

ROUND 2: Phone interview.

ROUND 3: Performance activity and half-day interview.

ROUND 4: Reference check.

START: Welcome to the team! SIGN UP TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN NEW POSITIONS ARE POSTED: wepowerstl.org/careers