As a VISTA you provide “behind the scenes” support. You make it possible for organizations to provide services to more people in more ways with greater efficiency, but you do not regularly meet in-person with the beneficiaries of your service. Explore available positions.
- VISTAs serve with schools, colleges, nonprofits, and government agencies.
- VISTAs build an organization’s capacity by writing grants, recruiting volunteers, assessing community needs, building partnerships, or developing new programs.
- VISTA service impacts K-12 youth, low income and first generation college students, veterans and military families, and other populations experiencing the effects of poverty.
- VISTA service moves populations out of poverty by empowering communities to develop sustainable solutions specific to their needs and situations.
June 5, 2023 – June 4, 2024
Or
August 14, 2023 – August 13, 2024
Must be at least 18 years old.
Bachelor’s, or higher degree preferred; Associate’s degree and relevant work experience considered.
Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident Alien. Or legally residing in a state under one of the following legal residency classifications: refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status.
Must not be registered, or required to be registered, on a state sex offender registry or the National Sex Offender Registry.
Must not have been convicted of murder, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1111.
Must be willing to consent to a criminal history check.
$22,882
This number represents the annual living allowance received by members completing a full 52 weeks of service. It is distributed in installments of $877.66 (pre-tax) every two weeks. The living allowance is considered taxable income.
In some situations, the living allowance may not be considered as income for the purposes of assessing public benefits, such as SNAP. Read more below:
$6,895 Education Award
Learn about how you can use your award.
Don’t need an education award for your degree? Use it creatively, like for an outdoor expedition! Outward Bound Education Award Policy. NOLS Education Award Policy.
Eligible for Education Award matching programs at many Colleges and Universities in the United States.
AmeriCorps VISTA members who are at least age 55 on their first day of service may transfer the Education Award to their child, stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or foster child.
AmeriCorps VISTA members may elect to receive an an end-of-service cash stipend of $1,800 in place of the Education Award. AmeriCorps VISTA members who are not a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident Alien may only receive the cash stipend, and are not eligible to receive a Segal Education Award. Learn more about the stipend.
AmeriCorps members may seek outside employment so long as it does not interfere with their service activities.
If relocating more than 50 miles, a one-time relocation payment of $750 plus $0.40 per mile after beginning service.
If returning home at the end of the service term, an additional one-time relocation payment of $750 plus $0.40 per mile after concluding service.
Eligible for health insurance via the International Medical Group at no cost. Members electing to receive health insurance through AmeriCorps VISTA will be enrolled in the plan automatically, beginning on their first day of service. Services include 24/7/365 access to virtual mental health care via Teledoc.
If they prefer, members may elect to remain on their own insurance plan, remain on a family or spouse’s insurance plan, or enroll/remain enrolled in Medicaid.
AmeriCorps VISTA members electing to remain on their own insurance may enroll in the AmeriCorps VISTA Healthcare Allowance. Learn more.
10 Days of Personal Leave
10 Days of Sick/Medical Leave
Receive noncompetitive eligibility when applying for federal jobs for one year after completing their term of service. Learn more here and here.
Eligible for hiring preference with Employers of National Service, which connects AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni with employers from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
Community networking and outreach
Program development
Marketing and social media management
Event planning and execution
Fundraising, grant writing, and nonprofit development
Community group facilitation and leadership
Volunteer recruitment and management
Navigating complex education systems including Tribal, high school, colleges and Universities
Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility trainings
Systemic Racism training
Story telling trainings
…and more!
