The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ AmeriCorps VISTA Program is committed to investing in its members’ professional development.

Our goal is to develop young nonprofit leaders who have a passion and commitment for empowering Minnesota’s diverse communities. As an MCN AmeriCorps VISTA, you will learn the ins and outs of nonprofits through hands-on experience and a supportive network of mentors and peers while building community and making lasting change.

We estimate that our full year members receive more than 120 hours of support and training throughout the service year.

These opportunities include:

  • On-site orientation with your cohort to prepare you for your specific role.

  • 72 hours of training through six full-day and six half-day professional development retreats.

  • Access to MCN’s conferences on finance, technology and communications, leadership, fundraising, and essentials of nonprofit management. Together these conferences are valued at upwards of $1,200.

  • $300 professional development fund for additional self-selected learning opportunities.

  • Reduced rates to more than 60 MCN-hosted workshops.

  • Professional experience and connections made at individual host sites.

  • A supportive peer-learning experience in a cohort of 18 national service members.

In addition to MCN-specific training, AmeriCorps VISTA offers several professional development opportunities:

  • Virtual Member Orientation (VMO): an introduction to VISTA’s mission, history, and policies. This is completed before members arrive at their sites as a way to orient members to VISTA.

  • VISTA Blend: a series of online courses tailored to VISTAs (college credit is available).

  • Monthly webinars: a new topic each month focused on various aspects of your service year and for life after VISTA.

  • The InterCorps Council of Minnesota: a peer-led organization charged with connecting AmeriCorps members.

AmeriCorps VISTAs receive unprecedented support for securing post-service opportunities:

  • The Twin Cities are perennially ranked among the best regions for national service in the country. You’ll be able to tap this large, supportive network when finding and applying for a second service position, a post-service career, or grad school.

  • AmeriCorps Alumni provide support to currently serving members and are often willing to help with the practical aspects of finding a post-service opportunity by looking at resumes and hosting informational or practice interviews.

  • Grad school panels are organized by AmeriCorps to assist service members applying to post-service educational programs. Some grad schools even match the Segal Education Award.

  • Non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs is awarded to members for one year after completing AmeriCorps VISTA service.