AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA programs are administered through the Iowa Office of the Corporation
for National and Community Service (CNCS). AmeriCorps VISTA members may be placed
directly with Iowa nonprofit and government agencies through an agreement with CNCS
to become a VISTA project sponsor, or an agency may request a member through an
existing VISTA project. For example, the ICVS has its own small AmeriCorps VISTA
program in which we place members internally, to help with ICVS initiatives, and
externally, with partners who further service efforts in the areas of disaster/volunteer
management, youth development, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity.
AmeriCorps VISTA project sponsors and host sites have varying degrees of responsibility
for financial support of the VISTA members, depending on the type of VISTA position(s)
they are awarded.
Types of VISTA Members
- Standard members—require no cash contribution from the host; instead the project
sponsors provide necessary in kind resources, such as supplies, office space and
equipment, and administrative support.
- Cost-share members—the project sponsor must provide funds to help meet the costs
of the VISTA member’s living allowance, in addition to providing in kind support.
How to Apply to CNCS to be an AmeriCorps VISTA Project Sponsor
- Submit a concept paper to
the Iowa office of CNCS.
- Those who have submitted a concept paper may be chosen to complete a full application.
- Applications for members are accepted on a rolling basis agencies are allowed to
place members four times throughout the year.
- Project sponsors are responsible for overall management of the AmeriCorps VISTA
program, including member recruitment and placement, reporting to CNCS, and supervision
of members and project sites.
How to apply to be an AmeriCorps VISTA host site through the ICVS VISTA program
- Review the Facts for Host Site Applicants document
- Submit a host site application
to the ICVS electronically via SurveyMonkey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/VISTAhost.
- Host site applications are reviewed and ranked by the Commission.
- Approved applicants are placed into a pool of potential host sites and will be contacted
by ICVS staff if an AmeriCorps VISTA slot becomes available for the site.
- Host sites are responsible for recruiting their own VISTA member(s), assigning a
site supervisor to support the member, and reporting to ICVS. Sites are usually
expected to contribute financially to the project.
- • Opportunities are also available for hosting short-term AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates, who can perform direct service for 8 to 10 weeks during the summer months. The application and placement process is similar to that for year-long VISTA members. Review the Info Summer Associate Host Sites document for more information
For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA, select the “For Organizations” section
of the AmeriCorps website (www.americorps.gov
or contact the Iowa Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service
at IA@cns.gov or 515.284.4816.