What Can an AmeriCorps Member Do for Your Organization?

For many community organizations, the challenge isn’t knowing what needs to be done. It’s having enough time and people to get it done.  

Maybe there’s a new program you want to launch, a volunteer effort that needs more structure or an important project that keeps getting pushed down the list. 

That’s where an AmeriCorps member can help. 

Through Red River Community Corps (RRCC), AmeriCorps members serve with nonprofits, government agencies, Native American tribes, religious organizations, school districts and other eligible organizations across Oklahoma. Their work varies by host site, but the goal is simple: help organizations build capacity and better serve their communities. 

So, what could that kind of support look like in practice? Here are five ways an AmeriCorps member can help strengthen your organization and expand its capacity. 

1. Build or Strengthen Programs 

AmeriCorps members can help develop new programs, improve existing ones and create systems that support long-term growth. 

At Not Your Average Joe, an RRCC member helped develop curriculum and launch a Training Center designed to provide additional support for employees with disabilities. 

For organizations with a good idea but limited staff capacity, an AmeriCorps member can help move that idea closer to reality. 

2. Recruit and Support Volunteers 

Volunteers can expand an organization’s reach, but recruiting, coordinating and retaining them takes time. 

AmeriCorps members may help build volunteer programs, improve management systems, develop resources or create stronger processes for keeping volunteers engaged. 

3. Strengthen Resource Development 

VISTA members can support work related to grants, donations and other organizational resources. 

That might include researching funding opportunities, supporting grant development or identifying resources that can help an organization grow its programs and reach. 

4. Improve Behind-the-Scenes Systems 

Some of the most valuable capacity-building work happens out of public view. 

At Palomar, an RRCC member helped improve the organization’s process for accepting donations and organizing storage, making it easier to get needed resources to clients. 

Other members may help create processes, organize resources or strengthen internal systems that make day-to-day work more effective. 

5. Expand Community Outreach 

AmeriCorps members can also help organizations reach more of the people they serve. 

RRCC partners with eligible organizations to develop meaningful service opportunities that meet real needs in their communities. Host sites provide day-to-day supervision and a suitable workspace, along with a required per-member cash match to host an AmeriCorps member — the amount of which can vary by term and program. 

What Does Hosting an AmeriCorps Member Involve? 

Hosting an AmeriCorps member is a partnership. 

RRCC works with eligible organizations to identify meaningful service opportunities that address real community needs. Host sites provide day-to-day supervision, appropriate workspace and a cash match that helps support the program. 

With dedicated support focused on capacity-building work, organizations can strengthen programs, improve systems and move important projects forward. 

Since 2013, RRCC AmeriCorps members have provided nearly 1 million hours of service to more than 120 nonprofit agencies across Oklahoma. 

Think an AmeriCorps member could be a good fit for your organization? Learn more about becoming an RRCC host site.