Host Site Opportunities

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) is a national anti-poverty initiative that places full-time volunteers with local projects. AmeriCorps VISTA members are recruited locally and nationally, are college graduates, and commit to one year of service with a project.

The Community Development Division was designated as an AmeriCorps VISTA Project Site in 2009 as part of the overall homeless initiatives designed through Welcome Home Billings, the City's ten-year plan to impact homelessness. Through the Billings Metro VISTA Project (BMVP), the City has facilitated VISTA placements with local non-profit organizations to assist in capacity-building efforts to impact poverty and homelessness in the community.

Becoming a Host Site

The City is currently offering partnership opportunities to non-profit organizations to acquire Host Site status through a proposal submission process. Organizations may submit a proposal anytime during the year to become a Host Site. Host Sites must provide an office space, computer, phone, generalized support and at least weekly supervision to their VISTA members during their year of service. 

Deadlines

City staff must complete project applications within federal timelines. Therefore, organizations submitting completed proposals prior to the following deadlines will receive priority consideration for the next incoming class:
  • January 16, 2026 for full-year members beginning service in August 2026.
  • October 16, 2026 for full-year members beginning service in March 2027.
Proposals received after these deadlines may be considered until the subsequent recruitment season.
 

Contact Carly Collins at collinsc@billingsmt.gov or 406.208.3271 to obtain a Host Site Guide Book for review prior to submitting a proposal. Organizations can request a fillable proposal form from Carly Collins at any time throughout the year. City staff can offer technical assistance with preparing a proposal up to one week before the submission deadlines. 

What is Capacity-Building?

The AmeriCorps VISTA program specializes in capacity-building efforts, which result in long-term sustainability. This program is designed to assist organizations in efforts expected to become fully self-sustaining. Full-year VISTA members cannot provide direct services; for example, act as a receptionist, filing clerk, or have direct service-provision contact with clients.

All projects must be designed to impact poverty and benefit low-income persons including military members, veterans, and their families. Focus areas for VISTA projects include economic opportunity, education, and healthy futures. 

VISTA members may:

  • Complete a community needs assessment using quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Establish, expand or enhance an organization's volunteer program to raise funds or expand services.
  • Develop or expand a more diversified funding stream for services impacting poverty.
  • Expand or improve an existing program benefiting low income households.
  • Perform outreach, build community awareness of services offered by an organization.
  • Assist in assessing the impact of current anti-poverty programming.