Thank you for your interest in MLC's AmeriCorps*VISTA program. The 2008-2009 RFP process is closed. The next opportunity to apply for an AmeriCorps*VISTA member through MLC will be Janaury 2009. Please return to this web page at that time.

Overview

The Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC), in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), is requesting proposals from organizations interested in sponsoring an AmeriCorps*VISTA member for the 2008-2009 service year.

The MLC AmeriCorps*VISTA Program places and supports 40 VISTA members throughout Minnesota. A small percentage of these placements become vacant each year. MLC and CNCS encourage new organizations to participate in this annual competitive selection process. On average, organizations are granted one VISTA position that is renewable for up to three years. Please tailor applications accordingly.

Mission and Program Goals

AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America), the domestic equivalent to the Peace Corps, is a national service program sponsored by the federal government offering members a modest living allowance in exchange for their commitment to a year of service to low-income communities to improve the lives of people in need. The Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC) has been a National Service partner and VISTA grantee for more than a decade.

VISTA Mission

AmeriCorps*VISTA builds permanent infrastructure in organizations to help them more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

MLC Mission

The Minnesota Literacy Council shares the power of learning through education, community building and advocacy.

MLC VISTA Program Goals

AmeriCorps*VISTA members help organizations create the sustainable infrastructure needed to fight poverty in their communities. Project sponsors must be able to direct the project, supervise the AmeriCorps*VISTA member and provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project. Goals and objectives of the project must be clearly defined and sponsors need to be able to demonstrate measurable results.

All projects must clearly identify how they contribute to permanently eliminating poverty in their community. The activity may be part of a process to help people out of poverty over a long period of time (i.e. children’s literacy), but it must be backed up by definitive research and/or provide links programmatically to other related components.

One consistent goal for every AmeriCorps*VISTA project should be the sustainability of the project by the sponsoring agency and the community after AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsorship ends.

MLC VISTA projects support the mission statements of the MLC and AmeriCorps*VISTA.  The projects typically fall into, but are not limited to, one or more of the following project types:

Adult basic education

After school literacy programs for children and/or teens

Basic skills education

Children’s literacy programs

Early childhood literacy

Family literacy

Immigrant education

Job skills/workplace education

Literacy training/education

Service-learning projects

Tutoring programs

All applications must be submitted electronically. Please download and read the complete Request for Proposal (RFP) document listed below before completing the online application.

If you have questions about your proposed VISTA project or if you are experiencing technical difficulty with the online application please contact:

Megan Conley

AmeriCorps*VISTA Manager

Minnesota Literacy Council                                       

756 Transfer Road                 

St. Paul, MN 55114

651-645-2277 x 205

mconley@themlc.org

Supporting Documents for New Project Applications