Who Can Be a Transform Mid-Atlantic VISTA Host Site?
As a sponsoring organization for AmeriCorps VISTA, TMA provides support for AmeriCorps VISTA members to be placed as full-time, paid volunteers for one year of national service with campus-community engagement projects pursuing a poverty-relief purpose. The TMA AmeriCorps VISTA member serves in a capacity-building role to assist the host site in pursuing the poverty-relief project on campus or in the surrounding community over a three-year period, aligned with TMA's mission of supporting the public purposes of higher education and making transformative, sustainable change.
The AmeriCorps VISTA grant is a benefit that Transform Mid-Atlantic offers its member campuses. Registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that are partnered with a Transform Mid-Atlantic member campus are also welcome to apply. A limited number of applications from community nonprofits that are not affiliated with a TMA member campus may also be considered for a TMA AmeriCorps VISTA member placement on a case-by case basis.
What Sets the TMA AmeriCorps VISTA Experience Apart?
A TMA AmeriCorps VISTA host site is part of TMA's vibrant cohort of VISTA sites that span the Mid-Atlantic region and can benefit from the variety of programs, convenings, sharing of best practices, and professional development opportunities that TMA provides to our VISTA members and their host institutions.
TMA provides personalized supports both to the VISTA member throughout their year of service and to the host site for the duration of their three-year VISTA grant. The Transform Mid-Atlantic AmeriCorps VISTA programming is dedicated to working toward equity as well as learning together about how to collaborate and communicate effectively.
In keeping with TMA's commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), TMA AmeriCorps VISTA members and host sites are provided with professional development support to advance JEDI-infused community engagement practices. In addition, TMA's approach to VISTA-supported poverty-relief projects promotes the language and ideals of global equity and sustainability as expressed in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
2024-2025 TMA AmeriCorps VISTA Program - Application Process
If you are a college, university, or nonprofit organization in the Maryland, DC, Delaware, and West Virginia region interested in applying for an AmeriCorps VISTA project to host a VISTA member during the 2024-2025 year and beyond, an "Intent to Apply" must be submitted to Transform Mid-Atlantic by Friday, November 3, 2023.
Watch the information session recording below to learn more about the grant and the types of programs it supports. Institutions / organizations interested in this opportunity are highly encouraged to schedule a meeting as soon as possible with Martha Fitzpatrick Bishai and Zandra Cuff to share their ideas as soon as possible by clicking on the button below.
Benefits of Hosting a Transform Mid-Atlantic VISTA Project
Transform Mid-Atlantic offers its member institutions a grant opportunity for a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA position (for up to 3 years) to start or expand a campus-community anti-poverty partnership. This grant is currently valued at approximately $60,000/year or $180,000 over 3 years. The value of the grant is only one of the benefits of hosting a Transform Mid-Atlantic VISTA member:
Funding to Meet Your Need
This grant can fund a wide variety of anti-poverty initiatives that align with your institution’s strategic priorities such as, but not limited to:
• fostering academic retention/completion,
• supporting first-generation college students
• navigating food security
• developing community partnerships
• creating K-12 partnerships
• supporting student veterans
• environmental justice, and advancing racial justice and equity
Choose Your Own VISTA Member
You are able to interview and select someone who is the best fit for your team and campus. Your campus staff recruits and selects your own VISTA member from among your rising graduates, grad students (if applicable), or through a national search.
Technical Support from Transform Mid-Atlantic
Transform Mid-Atlantic provides significant technical assistance such as sending sample applications and assisting with editing your application in order for it to be approved. Participating in this grant is among the benefits of membership in the Transform Mid-Atlantic network.
Transform Mid-Atlantic holds an information session that will include how to prepare a successful application, the application timeline, and the recruitment and member selection process. Though your institution’s grant writer may attend, it is important to identify an office or department on your campus that would supervise the proposed project and VISTA member.
Create a Culture of Civic Engagement
Participation in this grant can assist institutions in creating a culture of civic and community engagement on your campus and build campus partnerships in your community. Additionally, this grant provides experiential learning opportunities which assist your VISTA in both their career and personal development. Some institutions have selected to highlight their Transform Mid-Atlantic VISTA grant activities and student learning outcomes in their MSCHE self-studies and in their application for Carnegie Classification.
Learn More
Register to attend Transform Mid-Atlantic grant application information session.
