Community and Program Associate (Innovative… at Lead For… · Baltimore

Note: This is a full-time ACC AmeriCorps position with Innovative Initiatives, Inc.

About the American Connection Corps:

The American Connection Corps (ACC), an AmeriCorps program of Lead For America (LFA), is a service fellowship program aimed at helping communities build the digital connectivity necessary to expand opportunity and economic mobility, ranging from healthcare access to quality employment.

ACC Members spend a year serving with locally-rooted organizations, helping address the digital divide and strengthen access to opportunity. Through their service, they gain hands-on experience, build in-demand skills, and explore career pathways while making a tangible impact in their communities.

About Innovative Initiatives, Inc.

Our mission is to connect capital and leadership capacity to empower rural communities. We believe that rural communities can thrive. Rural communities thrive when local economic development organizations (EDOs) are strong. The EDOs we work with tell us the same thing again and again: they need deeper connections, more flexible capital, and stronger leadership. To accomplish our mission, we partner with mission-focused funders and community-minded for-profit businesses to help expand their reach to rural places. Our work has focused on connecting those partners with the rural places they want to see thrive.

Position Overview

The ACC Member will support staff-led community outreach and engagement efforts that strengthen the nonprofit's capacity to connect with and serve community members across the region. Under the guidance and supervision of program staff, the Member will assist with outreach campaigns, help coordinate community events, support the collection and sharing of community feedback, and contribute to building lasting relationships between the organization and the populations it serves. Through these capacity-building activities, the Member will play a meaningful supportive role in expanding the organization's reach and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Support staff in preparing and distributing outreach materials (flyers, social media content, newsletters) to raise awareness of programs and services.
• Assist with identifying and connecting with community partners, local organizations, faith communities, and neighborhood groups to broaden organizational reach through approved outreach activities and under staff direction.
• Help track outreach contacts and compile a summary of engagement data for staff review.
• Participate in tabling events, community fairs, and information sessions to share resources and gather community input.
• Assist staff with the planning and implementation of community engagement events, including logistics, participant engagement support, and materials preparation.
• Support the setup, facilitation, and breakdown of events, including workshops, listening sessions, and resource fairs.
• Assist staff with the planning and implementation of community engagement events, including logistics, participant engagement support, and materials preparation.
• Compile post-event feedback and attendance summaries to share with program staff.
• Assist staff with maintaining and updating a database of community partners, stakeholders, and referral contacts.
• Support communications with partner organizations by helping prepare meeting agendas, document meeting notes, and prepare follow-up summaries for staff review.
• Help identify new stakeholders and community assets that may advance organizational goals, sharing findings with program leadership.
• Participate in coalition meetings or community working groups as a representative of the organization under staff direction and within the approved scope of AmeriCorps Member service activities.
• Assist staff in conducting an initial community listening tour in the first 1–2 months to gather input from a diverse range of community members.
• Help administer and distribute community surveys or feedback forms, and collect responses for staff analysis..
• Compile and organize data collected through outreach and engagement activities into clear summaries for staff.
• Share observations and emerging community themes with program staff to inform service delivery and approved program improvement efforts.
• Assist staff in identifying and compiling a community resource directory covering housing, food access, employment, healthcare, and other social services.
• Support the distribution of resource information at community events and through digital and print channels.
• Help community members navigate available resources by sharing information and directing them to appropriate staff contacts or established referral pathways, without determining eligibility for services or providing case management.
• Update and maintain resource materials under staff direction to ensure accuracy and accessibility.

All functions and activities performed by the AmeriCorps Member are completed under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff.

Learning & Development Opportunities

As an ACC Member, you will receive structured training and support throughout your service year, including:

• A two-week-long virtual orientation with the national cohort to kick off the service year.

• A week-long, in-person national Winter Institute convening with your ACC cohort — travel, lodging, and a per diem stipend are fully covered.

• Twice-monthly virtual training on skills for service, including project management, asset-based community development, grant writing, and serving vulnerable populations, plus self-paced curricula with opportunities to earn badges and credentials.

• A structured community listening tour at the start of service to understand local needs, assets, and opportunities.

• Dedicated 1:1 support from a Lead For America Program Coordinator and twice-monthly peer pod meetings for networking and professional development.

• Access to a national network of ACC Members, alumni, and community partners.

• Passion for community service and connecting your neighbors to the digital tools, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

• Interest in gaining experience in community development or digital inclusion.

Eligibility:

• Be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Be 17 years of age or older by the start of service.
• Have not already served four (4) or more AmeriCorps State/National terms.

Timeline:

We are currently recruiting Members to serve from September 8th, 2026 - August 13th, 2027. Members will serve full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), completing 1700 hours of service over the course of the term.

Application Process:

1. Submit Your Application: Complete the application on the next page to join our general talent pool.
2. Host Site Review: Our host site organization will review your application, and invite those moving forward to interview.
3. Lead For America Interview: Finalist candidates will be invited to interview with the Lead For America team.

Full-time ACC Members receive:

• A $33,000 living stipend (dispersed bi-weekly over the course of the service term)
• A $7,395 Segal Education Award through AmeriCorps, which can be applied to education-related expenses after the program concludes (including repayment of qualifying student loans).
• Healthcare coverage (if applicable).
• Access to childcare benefits.
• Student loan forbearance during your year of service.
• Fully-funded ACC Winter Institute druing the year.

Non-Discriminationmailto:ACCinfo@leadforamerica.orgThis institution operates in accordance with Federal and AmeriCorps civil rights and non-discrimination requirements. This program is available to all. All program documents, including compliance history information, may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact us at ACCinfo@leadforamerica.org

Note: The ACC program does not offer part-time or remote member positions at this time.