Director of Advocacy (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.

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Director of Advocacy (Volunteer)

PromisePublic | Policy, Advocacy & Public Affairs

Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location Hybrid / Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type Volunteer (Leadership Role)

Reports To Chief of Public Affairs & Policy

Works Closely With Government Relations Team, Advocacy Communications Team, Policy Research Team, Program Leadership, Partnerships Team

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, and community. Our work centers dignity, equity, and accountability—fostering resilience and opening pathways to stability, opportunity, and hope for young people and their families.

MAP recognizes that lasting impact requires both direct service and systems change. Public policy, advocacy, and community engagement are critical to addressing structural barriers that affect youth and families experiencing housing instability.

About PromisePublic | Policy, Advocacy & Public Affairs

PromisePublic leads MAP’s work in policy engagement, public affairs, and systems-level advocacy. The division ensures that the lived experiences of youth, families, and communities inform public dialogue, policy priorities, and legislative reform.

Through research, coalition-building, public engagement, and responsible advocacy, PromisePublic advances policy solutions that strengthen housing stability, educational access, and youth opportunity.

Role Overview

The Director of Advocacy helps lead MAP’s advocacy initiatives and public engagement efforts by coordinating campaigns, supporting policy engagement activities, and strengthening partnerships with community and advocacy organizations.

Working closely with the Chief of Public Affairs & Policy and cross-functional teams, the Director of Advocacy helps translate research insights and program experiences into advocacy initiatives that elevate youth and community voices while advancing MAP’s mission.

This role focuses on executing advocacy initiatives, supporting coalition engagement, and helping ensure MAP’s advocacy activities are organized, impactful, and aligned with nonprofit compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate advocacy initiatives that advance MAP’s mission and policy priorities
• Support development and implementation of advocacy campaigns and engagement strategies
• Collaborate with Government Relations team to support engagement with policymakers and public agencies
• Help organize coalition partnerships with advocacy organizations, community groups, and policy networks
• Contribute to the development of advocacy materials such as policy briefs, talking points, and testimony support
• Elevate youth, mentor, and community perspectives within advocacy efforts when appropriate
• Support public engagement activities such as advocacy events, briefings, or listening sessions
• Monitor relevant policy developments and share insights with internal teams
• Ensure advocacy activities align with nonprofit compliance and lobbying guidelines
• Maintain timely and professional communication using Google Workspace tools
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in advocacy, public affairs, nonprofit policy work, or community organizing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to coordinate projects and collaborate across teams
• Experience working with community organizations, coalitions, or advocacy networks
• Commitment to MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values
  
  

Preferred

• Familiarity with housing, education, youth development, or social policy issues
• Experience supporting advocacy campaigns or policy initiatives
• Experience preparing advocacy communications or policy materials
• Understanding of nonprofit advocacy compliance and lobbying guidelines
  
  

Commitment

• Volunteer leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Hybrid / remote with optional NYC-based collaboration
  
  

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership experience supporting advocacy and public engagement initiatives
• Opportunity to contribute to systems change affecting youth and housing stability
• Collaboration with policy researchers, advocacy leaders, and nonprofit partners
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful impact advancing equity-centered policy solutions
  
  

How To Apply

Interested candidates must apply directly through Idealist and submit

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required) describing relevant advocacy experience and interest in MAP’s mission
  
  

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.