Click here for host site application information.
Build Your Capacity to Serve Communities While Supporting an Emerging Professional
New Sector is seeking nonprofit organizations interested in building their capacity by partnering with us as “host site organizations”.
We operate two programs in partnership with AmeriCorps: the Residency in Social Enterprise* and Summer Fellowship programs. Residents and Fellows complete projects at host site organizations that create a lasting impact on each organization’s ability to serve more people or more effectively serve their communities.
Host sites define a capacity building project and then host and supervise a Resident or Fellow to meet the organization’s goals. Residents and Fellows are highly qualified emerging leaders who are recruited and supported by New Sector. Throughout the program terms, New Sector provides training, support, and exclusive mentorship to Residents and Fellows.
Our programs currently operate in partnership with host site organizations in Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area.
We are currently developing partnerships with nonprofit organizations to launch a pilot program in Chicago in September 2013 (more info here).
What kinds of organizations serve as host sites?
Our host site partners are nonprofit organizations looking to develop their capacity to serve in one of six areas of social impact:
- Economic opportunity, including expanding employment opportunities and homelessness services
- Education
- Health
- Environmental stewardship
- Disaster services
- Veterans and military families
Read more about these six AmeriCorps focus areas we aim to impact by clicking here.
What kinds of projects do our members complete?
Residents and Fellows complete capacity building projects that are intended to have a sustainable impact on the organization’s programs and services. Types of projects that our members complete include:
- Performance measurement - designing, implementing, and using performance measurement strategies and tools
- Promoting effective use of technology - designing, implementing, and training staff on the use of databases, knowledge management systems, and other tools
- Program development and delivery - designing, piloting, implementing, or expanding service delivery
Click here for more examples of the type of capacity building projects our members complete.
We also offer a host site checklist to help you determine if your capacity building project is aligned with the goals of New Sector.
We do not accept projects that primarily intend for our members to:
- Serve in a direct service role
- Coordinate existing programs
- Take up a position of responsibility that would otherwise be fulfilled by a staff member
We seek projects in which our members build capacity rather than simply fulfilling capacity needs. The projects completed are meant to create lasting changes for the organization that sustain beyond the members' terms. Of course, members may also fill important capacity needs related to their project activities.
What kind of impact do Residents and Fellows create?
We aim for completed projects that enable host site organizations to:
- Serve more community members.
- Increase the measure effectiveness of their programs/ services.
- Develop or implement services for new target groups--i.e. new geographic popullations--or new services for existing target groups.
Check out some examples of the impact we made in 2012 in our latest Social Impact Report!
Our Program Members
New Sector Residents, Fellows, and Senior Fellows are students and recent graduates from top-tier universities and emerging leaders passionate about social impact.
Our members include:
- Residents in Social Enterprise* - Recent graduates or emerging professionals with up to five years of post-college work experience who serve full time for 11 months from September through the end of July.
- Summer Fellows - Undergraduates or recent graduates who serve full time for 11 weeks from June through August.
- Senior Summer Fellows - Master's candidates who have completed one year of study and have at least two years of post-college work experience. Senior Summer Fellows serve full time for 11 weeks from June through August.
Members begin service at host sites 1-2 weeks after the start of the service term to allow for orientation and kickoff training.
Every member accepted by New Sector has successfully passed our national, competitive application process, which includes resume screens, two interviews, and reference checks.
What kind of training and support do New Sector Residents and Fellows receive while they serve?
New Sector members receive training through our Social Change Leadership Curriculum to maximize their effectiveness at host sites and throughout their careers. Members also receive support through New Sector staff and peer learning groups as well as exclusive mentoring from volunteer business and nonprofit professionals.
We expect host site supervisors to provide support and resources to members, including at the minimum bi-weekly check-ins opportunities and regular feedback. Members are on-site nearly full-time during their service and are required to to attend biweekly New Sector trainings and monthly full-day workshops during business hours.
