2D Animator (Volunteer)

About the role

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a NYC-based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression. Animation allows MAP to tell stories in ways that feel safe, magical, and emotionally accessible—especially for children who have experienced trauma or disruption.

Key Responsibilities

• Animate characters, scenes, and educational content for MAP projects
• Work from storyboards, scripts, and visual assets
• Collaborate with art directors, writers, and editors
• Ensure animation style is warm, inclusive, and child-safe
• Prepare files for web, video, and educational platforms
• Maintain project timelines and creative standards

Qualifications

• Experience with 2D animation (Adobe Animate, Toon Boom, After Effects, or similar tools)
• Strong understanding of motion, timing, and visual storytelling
• Ability to animate in expressive, child-friendly styles
• Comfort working collaboratively in a remote creative team
• Alignment with MAP’s trauma-informed and equity-centered mission

Preferred Skills

• Experience with children’s media or educational animation
• Storyboarding or character animation experience
• Familiarity with audio syncing or simple editing
• Interest in social-impact storytelling

What You’ll Gain

• A strong portfolio of mission-driven animated work
• Real-world impact through storytelling for children in need
• Collaboration with illustrators, writers, and filmmakers
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to bring hope, joy, and learning to life through animation

How To Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist. For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org