General Board Member, Community Engagement

About the Esperanza Education Fund

The Esperanza Education Fund (EEF) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting immigrant students in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. EEF provides higher-education scholarships and community support to students regardless of nationality, immigration status, or country of origin.

Position Overview

This position at EEF is one of several openings on the board. We encourage applicants to additionally consider applying as a Development Committee Member, Governance Chair, and/or General Board positions focused on event planning and communications. Please find the full list of available positions at EEF’s Idealist page.

We’re seeking candidates with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills who enjoy motivating others, managing team members, and delivering results. You are someone who thrives on being a connector and you are thrilled to apply your skills to build Esperanza’s community.

General Board Responsibilities

All Development Committee Members also serve as EEF Board Members and take on the following organization-wide responsibilities. Total estimated volunteer commitment is 15-20 hours per month.

• Mission Stewardship: Uphold and advance the mission of EEF, helping define strategies and voting on essential board business.
• Meeting Attendance: Participate in quarterly in-person board meetings in the DMV area.
• Engagement: Take part in EEF events, committee meetings, working sessions, and other organizational activities.
• Fundraising Commitment: Contribute to EEF’s fundraising goals through personal giving and network engagement (board members commit to at least $50/month , or $20/month for board members under 30).
• Ambassadorship: Serve as a representative of EEF in the community, helping increase visibility and impact.

General Board Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Self-driven, entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to lead and execute hands-on activities
• Strong collaboration skills; effective team builder and empathetic team participant
• Familiarity with social impact, immigrant rights, education equity, or related fields
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Availability for in-person participation within the DMV area
• Experience in revenue generation and donations

Community Engagement–Specific Responsibilities

• 45% volunteer engagement and management
  • Design and oversee Esperanza’s volunteer engagement strategy, including recruitment, onboarding, and retention of mentors, workshop facilitators, and other volunteers.
  • Mentorship oversight - collaborate with staff and program partners to strengthen the Esperanza mentorship program—matching volunteers to Scholars, developing mentor training materials, and tracking engagement outcomes.
  • Recommend and help implement volunteer management tools.
  • Identify and cultivate relationships with local employers, colleges, and community organizations to expand the pool of qualified mentors and professional volunteers.
• 30% alumni engagement
  • Develop a basic community directory and conduct an interest and relationship-mapping effort, particularly identifying alumni, gathering/updating contact information, and assessing interest areas to inform early programming.
  • Host light-lift community-building activities — coordinate a few small in-person gatherings designed to reconnect alumni
  • Foster relationships with Esperanza alumni and create space for relationships to grow between community members
  • Develop a right-sized alumni engagement strategy, lead its implementation, and evolution in tandem with alumni interest
• 15% General board responsibilities
  • Meet general Board responsibilities
  • Monitor and report on volunteer and alumni engagement effectiveness relative to organizational priorities and team needs

Benefits

• Play a leadership role in advancing educational and professional opportunities for immigrant students in the DC metro area
• Become part of a diverse, mission-driven community of professionals
• Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit governance, fundraising, and program oversight
• Contribute meaningfully to a growing, high-impact organization