Virtual Volunteer Internship: Growing Our Nonprofit Partnerships! Organizational Development & Financial Sustainability for Our Forest Service Partners (FS-USA-35)
Create organizational development tools and resources to help our nonprofit partners become more sustainable and organized, and, in some cases, potentially grow into a "Friends" group and 501C-3 nonprofit organization. Our nonprofit partners are vital in the management of national forests.
With over 13.3 million acres of land and 23 million visitors, the Southern Region encompasses the 13 southern states and Puerto Rico. To maintain, sustain, and care for our public lands, our agency engages nonprofit partners in accomplishing the essential work of managing and protecting natural resources. The Volunteers & Service Program Team analyzes, strategizes, and strengthens partnerships to enhance Forest Service capacity and address the pressing needs of natural resource conservation. We connect people to their public lands.
We are seeking one or more interns to complete the following tasks:
1. Research resources for nonprofits to improve their financial stability, develop a sustainable organizational structure, and formalize their group into a 501C-3 organization. Find or develop a resource to assist an organization in deciding which type of 501 classification is best suited for their organization. Develop a tool/flowchart on how to become a formalized 501C3 (and possibly other types of 501s if that could be a good fit).
2. Create a list of training opportunities for emerging or growing nonprofit organizations. • Gain an understanding of the organizations that offer training and mentoring for growing or emerging nonprofits (e.g. Public Lands Alliance). Create a table/list of the most effective organizations, their mission, their training and mentoring opportunities.
3. Research and submit a grant application to provide professional development opportunities to Friends Groups in the Southern Region. Professional development may include: fundraising strategies, budgeting, revenue forecasting, membership structure, accounting, endowments, social media strategies, website development, NEPA background, and more.
Trainings could also be technical in nature around software needs (Quickbooks, Salesforce, donation management platforms, etc.). 4. Develop website content to provide resources to external partners. This may include organizational development tools and resources to support financial health, sustainability, and positively aligned partnerships.
5. Explore opportunities with the regional Volunteer Engagement Working Group to create a regional award or recognition program for Friends Group of the year.
6. Support networking and mentorship opportunities for nonprofits. We will host networking/informational events for organizations to meet each other, learn what works and does not work for them, bounce ideas off each other, and support each other in different stages. Younger organizations could be paired or connected with a more established organization for guidance, advice, or ideas.
7. Complete a presentation of your products and accomplishments to Forest Service employees engaged in partnership work and possibly key agency partners. Develop a PowerPoint and other supporting documents to deliver your presentation.
Read More About This Opportunity Here.
WHAT IS THE VIRTUAL FEDERAL SERVICE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
The Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) is an nine-month remote volunteer internship program for U.S. citizen students, college-level and above, who would like to make a real difference in the work of the U.S. government. Since 2009, thousands of eInterns have expanded the efforts of the U.S. government, working remotely from their school, dorm room, apartment, local library or coffee shop – wherever they happen to be! They report to their mentors at federal government agencies in the U.S. and around the world by email, phone, or video chat. VSFS is managed by the Office of eDiplomacy in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Information Resource Management. Interns commit to 10 hours/week.
HOW TO APPLY?
Applications for the 2021-22 Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) program will be accepted July 1-31, 2021 on USAJOBS.gov. During that time, students may find the listing by searching for “VSFS” or “Virtual Student Federal Service” on USAJOBS. Students may apply to up to three projects.
HOW TO FIND SPECIFIC INTERNSHIPS ?
When someone goes to the Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) they can view all 959 projects across many agencies. There are 88 projects for the US Forest Service Select “All Projects” at top left of page. To query “Forest Service”, click on “Search” box in top right and enter “Forest Service”. Search for "FS-USA-35."