+Eligibility

Eligible organizations include small, public, and faith-based culturally specific nonprofit organizations located in Minnesota

The VISTA project is three years in length. Organizations must have the time, staff, and supervisory capacity to direct the project, supervise VISTA members, and provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project over the duration of these three years. On average, supervisors could expect to spend 2-5 hours per week in VISTA project support. The host site will develop a project plan that identifies key activities and outcomes across a timeframe for the VISTA to complete in their efforts to build organizational capacity through in-direct service, with periodic reports on progress submitted to MCN. More details are included below.

+Requirements

Organizations must provide the following in order to host an AmeriCorps VISTA member:
Supervision and Work Environment:

• A designated supervisor who works full-time will supervise, mentor, and coach the VISTA member. Approval may be granted for a part-time supervisor as long as the organization has other full-time employees. This person must be available for frequent communication and to meet with the VISTA regularly to discuss projects, goals, and activities.
• A comfortable and safe work environment, including reasonable office space, use of a computer and phone, e-mail access comparable to that of paid staff, and remote work options in the event of a prolonged pandemic.
• Meaningful work for the VISTA member written out in a full Project Plan that will be mutually agreed to by the host site, VISTA member, MCN, and CNCS.

Planning, Training and Reporting:

• Effective recruitment, interviewing, and selection of their own VISTA applicants, with support and approval from MCN and CNCS.
• Participation in MCN VISTA Project Plan development and on-going training.
• A signed Memorandum of Understanding, bearing the signatures of the staff supervising the VISTA as well as the host organization’s chair of the Board of Directors, Executive Director, or highest governing authority.
• Support for a VISTA member’s professional development.
• Responsibility for the completion of bi-annual reports and member performance evaluations, as well as participation in site visits with MCN staff.
• Active planning for sustaining the project’s goals, strategies, and impact beyond the VISTA partnership.

Cost:

• A non-refundable payment based on a sliding fee scale ranging from $2,000- $7,500 per year (depending on organizational budget) to the MCN VISTA Program for each VISTA member hosted. These funds are used to contribute to the living allowance and training of VISTA members, as well as to support other program services.
• $300 toward VISTA member’s professional development/emergency fund
• Reimbursement to a VISTA member for all service-related travel expenses.

+AmeriCorps VISTA Terms and Conditions

VISTA members do not perform direct service activities, act in a staff capacity, or perform duties that would otherwise be performed by employed workers and which would supplant the hiring of or result in the displacement of employed workers. VISTAs cannot engage in religious instruction, worship, proselytizing, or other religious activity or engage in electoral activities, lobbying, or participate in demonstrations during service hours or while representing (or appearing to represent) AmeriCorps.

+Applying for an AmeriCorps VISTA Member

Proposal and Narrative – Due Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Organizations apply to receive a VISTA Member for 1 year, with the opportunity to extend for a total of a 3-year project period. The proposal and narrative give you the opportunity to shape your VISTA project and communicate the potential impact that a VISTA member will have on your organization and to discuss how your organization will utilize the VISTA resource.

Application proposal materials must be completed and submitted electronically to MCN on or before the deadline. Sites selected as finalists for VISTA placement will be asked to submit a Project Plan by Friday, April 21, 2023. Please complete the online application at the following link: 2023 New Host Site Application

If you have trouble viewing the online application, contact Warsame Warsame, VISTA Program Manager, at wwarsame@minnesotanonprofits.org or 651-592-1071.

Project Plan – Due Friday, April 21, 2023.
Notifications for sites selected for the project plan stage will be sent out in January, and those organizations will be asked to submit a Project Plan. The Project Plan outlines the goals and objectives for the 3-year VISTA project, and is a working document that should guide your VISTA member and the parallel work of your organization. An extensive packet of information to guide the development of a Project Plan will be provided to selected sites. MCN VISTA Program staff will be available to provide support for each organization in creating a Project Plan.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

• Tuesday, January 31,2023 -- Application Deadline

• Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 -- Applicants notified of award status; finalists asked to submit Project Plan

• Wednesday, March 15, 2023. -- -Host Site Supervisor Training - Part I. Learn to create:

  • Project Plan.
  • VISTA Assignment Description (VAD).
  • Service Opportunity Listing (SOL)
  • Memorandums of Understanding signed & returned to MCN.

• Friday, April 7, 2023 -- 1st Draft deadline for (VAD)&(SOL).

• Friday, April 21, 2023 -- - Final Draft deadline for (VAD) & (SOL).* (Must be approved before recruiting member)

• Wednesday, May 3, 2023 -- Host Site Supervisor Training - Part II (Recruitment)

• May- Aug 2023 --2023-2024 VISTA member recruitment period.

• Wednesday, May 24, 2023 --Host Site Supervisor Training - Part III. (Reporting).

• Wednesday, June 21, 2023 -- Performance Measures due to MCN

• Wednesday, July 26, 2023 --Final candidates selected and Sponsor Recommendation due to MCN.

• Friday, Aug 11, 2023 ---On-Site Orientation and Training plans due to MCN.

• Monday, Aug 28, 2023 -- - VISTA members attend CNCS Virtual Member Orientation (VMO). & VISTA members attend MCN Orientation: Pt. 1.

• Wednesday, Aug 30, 2023. -- VISTA members attend MCN VISTA Program Orientation: Pt. 2

• Friday Sept 29, 2023. -- - Cost share due and site visit scheduled.

MCN VISTA Program projects operate on an August-to-August term.

CNCS recruitment and Pre-Service Orientation dates are subject to change, which can affect member pre-enrollment, MCN VISTA Program Orientation dates and VISTA members’ first day on-site.

+Selection Criteria

Selections will be focused on culturally specific organizations that are based in Minnesota, whose executive leadership reflects the constituency most affected by the issue(s) addressed by the organization, and/or has demonstrated commitment and success in meaningful community engagement in the organization’s planning and decision making processes.

Additionally, proposals will be judged based on the criteria listed below:

1. The extent to which the proposed project supports the MCN VISTA Program’s goals to strengthen, inform, and connect nonprofits working with immigrant and refugee communities and communities of color in order to overcome the multiple determinants of poverty.
2. The extent to which the proposed project supports the capacity-building and anti-poverty goals of AmeriCorps VISTA.
3. The extent to which members of the community served guide the work of the applicant organization.
4. The extent to which the proposed project identifies a compelling community need and is an appropriate method of addressing the identified community need.
5. The ability and commitment of the organization to provide a VISTA member with a supportive work environment.
6. The extent to which the organization is committed to pursuing equity and justice through the VISTA project, both internally and in their relationship with other partners.