Sponsor Sites

Our Sponsor Sites are nonprofits or government agencies located throughout Montana.

Sponsor Sites must ensure they have a project that builds capacity, alleviates poverty, and is not direct service. Projects should be able to be carried out by a VISTA for an entire year and be sustainable for when the VISTA leaves.

It is important to remember that VISTAs are not employees of a sponsor site. The sponsor site provides day-to-day direction and guidance, but a VISTA is there for a specific purpose and not as “general help.”

Required Documents

Application

Link to Form

The first step is to fill out our application. This will include letters of support, a rough-draft VAD, and give Rural Dynamics insight to your ability to host a VISTA.

VAD

(VISTA Assignment Description)

Every VISTA is assigned a VAD unique to their role and responsibilities. It includes the overall goal of the project, a minimum of 5 objectives, and a minimum of 3 activities per objective. Click the Word Documents below to download our template or to view guidelines and tips. You’ll be asked to upload a completed VAD within the application.

Blank AmeriCorps VAD

VAD Guidelines and Tips

SOL

Service Opportunity Listing

The SOL is what is published to advertise the VISTA position. It includes a short “attention grabber” (200 characters or less), a description of service (2000 characters or less), and a description of member duties (1000 characters or less).

MOU

(Memorandum of Understanding)

The MOU establishes a collaborative partnership between Rural Dynamics and a sponsor site. It must be signed by both parties before a chosen VISTA can start service.

Invoice

Dependent on Year

An invoice will be sent one month before a VISTA begins and must be paid by their start date. To the right are the rates depending on the project year.

Rates

Click to View

First Year

$5,000 + $1,000 Admin Fee

Second Year

$7,000

Third Year

$9,000

Application

We are always accepting applications, but there are only certain dates VISTAs are placed with sites. These dates are selected by AmeriCorps on the federal level.