AmeriCorps VISTA is a program created to reduce poverty in the United States. It was first proposed by President John F. Kennedy and established as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965. In 1993, it became part of the AmeriCorps network of programs. Providing VISTA Members to non-profits, allows for optimal economic development and cultural change.

Our VISTA Members serve over 15 counties, impacting over 400 businesses, dozens of schools, thousands of students and teachers; training over 200 film industry professionals and coordinating hundreds of volunteers. Overall, in the past two years, our VISTA Members have coordinated and facilitated over 50 programs providing a value to the community of over $500,000.

PhilanthroFilms' mission is to work with communities to attract the film industry to the region, facilitate film production, educate and train the community, and provide support for media projects with positive themes of inspiration and hope. The proposed VISTA project aligns with the Economic Opportunity focus area(s). The VISTA project will seek to expand workforce development pathways and increase access to employment opportunities for low-income youth and adults in Georgia through systems-building, partnership development, outreach, and program capacity-building activities, and expects to benefit approximately 300 low-income youth and adults in the first year. Five VISTA members will contribute to the goals of the project by performing activities such as coordinating workforce development initiatives, strengthening employer and education partnerships, expanding training and recruitment pipelines, and developing outreach and resource systems over the course of a one-year project.

PhilanthroFilms participates in the AmeriCorps VISTA program to build sustainable pathways out of poverty in rural Georgia through media arts education, workforce development, and film industry engagement. The following positions support long-term capacity building, community partnerships, and economic opportunity initiatives.

Focus Areas: Education, Economic Opportunity

This position strengthens PhilanthroFilms’ ability to engage underserved communities through marketing and communication systems that expand awareness of workforce development opportunities in the film industry.

• Develop social media systems including content calendars and templates 
• Create newsletters and communication frameworks 
• Build website content and update processes 
• Establish stakeholder engagement systems and contact databases 
• Strengthen donor and volunteer communication systems 
• Develop branding tools, style guides, and messaging standards 

Focus Areas: Economic Opportunity, Education

This position builds organizational infrastructure by developing systems, databases, and partnerships that support long-term sustainability and access to economic opportunities in the film industry.

• Build and maintain community partnerships 
• Create and manage a database of creatives, students, and resources 
• Develop communication systems and email protocols 
• Research grant opportunities and maintain funding databases 
• Support fundraising infrastructure and tools 
• Organize marketing asset libraries and workflows 

Focus Areas: Education, Economic Opportunity

This position expands access to media arts education by building partnerships and systems that support workforce development opportunities for underserved communities.

• Develop partnerships with schools and educational programs 
• Create and maintain educational databases 
• Coordinate program schedules aligned with school calendars 
• Establish communication systems for participants 
• Develop curriculum templates and program logistics systems 
• Track participant engagement and outcomes 
• Support outreach through school events and presentations 

Focus Areas: Education, Economic Opportunity

This position supports economic development by building infrastructure that attracts film production to rural communities and prepares individuals for careers in the film industry.

• Develop systems to catalog locations and production assets 
• Create promotional media workflows and content libraries 
• Build workforce training curriculum and program systems 
• Support efforts to attract film productions to the region 

Focus Areas: Education, Economic Opportunity

This position connects PhilanthroFilms with the film industry by building relationships and ensuring programs align with current workforce needs and opportunities.

• Build relationships with film industry professionals 
• Create systems for mentorship and employment connections 
• Represent the organization at industry events 
• Track industry trends and best practices 
• Develop curriculum aligned with current industry standards 
• Support marketing efforts to attract film projects 

All positions are part of the AmeriCorps VISTA program and focus on building sustainable systems that expand access to education, workforce development, and economic opportunity in underserved rural communities.

*Compliance history available upon request.

*Service members, volunteers, employees, and applicants for federal employment who wish to file a discrimination complaint may do so by sending an email message to eo@americorps.goc or by leaving a voice message on the Civli Rights Hotline at 1-202-606-3461. Calls to the hotline will be returned within 24 Hours.

*PhilanthroFilms is committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all individuals. Employment practices and decisions will not be influenced by race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AMERICORPS VISTA PROGRAM HERE