Director of Public Relations & Media Relations (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve.

Division: PromiseVoice
Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed
Commitment: Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Type: Volunteer Leadership Role
Minimum Commitment: 6-month commitment required
Reports To: Senior Director of Communications

About PromiseVoice

PromiseVoice is Mentor A Promise's communications, storytelling, and public engagement division. The division leads the organization's strategic communications, public relations, media relations, executive communications, editorial content, podcasting, publications, and organizational storytelling. PromiseVoice ensures that every communication reflects MAP's mission, values, and commitment to dignity while building meaningful relationships with the public, media, partners, and communities we serve.

Responsibilities

• Public Relations Strategy
  • Develop and implement MAP's organization-wide public relations strategy
  • Create annual earned media plans aligned with organizational priorities
  • Identify compelling stories that highlight MAP's mission and impact
  • Position MAP as a trusted thought leader in youth development, education, housing instability, literacy, disability inclusion, and nonprofit innovation
  • Expand public awareness through strategic storytelling and media engagement
• Media Relations
  • Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, producers, podcast hosts, publishers, and media organizations
  • Pitch stories featuring MAP's programs, research, students, publications, volunteers, partnerships, and special initiatives
  • Coordinate interviews with executive leadership, staff, volunteers, and subject matter experts
  • Respond professionally and promptly to media inquiries
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive media contact database
• Communications & Content
  • Draft press releases, media advisories, public statements, and press kits
  • Develop key messaging and talking points for organizational leaders
  • Collaborate with PromiseVoice teams to promote podcasts, blogs, newsletters, books, documentaries, exhibitions, and special events
  • Ensure messaging remains consistent, mission-driven, and values-centered
  • Support integrated communications campaigns across multiple platforms
• Executive & Crisis Communications
  • Prepare executive leadership for interviews, media appearances, and public speaking engagements
  • Develop media briefing materials and executive messaging
  • Support leadership during sensitive or high-profile communications
  • Assist with crisis communications planning and reputation management
  • Protect and strengthen MAP's public image through proactive communication
• Recognition & Media Analytics
  • Identify award, conference, speaking, and recognition opportunities
  • Monitor media coverage and earned media performance
  • Measure public relations outcomes and recommend improvements
  • Prepare media reports and strategic updates for leadership
  • Monitor trends and emerging opportunities in nonprofit communications

Qualifications

• Experience in public relations, media relations, journalism, communications, public affairs, or nonprofit communications
• Strong relationships with journalists, editors, producers, or media outlets are highly desirable
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Experience securing earned media coverage and pitching stories
• Experience preparing executives for media interviews and public appearances
• Strong strategic planning, organizational, and project management abilities
• Passion for mission-driven communications and ethical storytelling

Why This Role Matters

Stories can change hearts, influence policy, inspire generosity, and strengthen communities. Every article published, interview secured, podcast featured, and story shared creates new opportunities for children and families experiencing housing instability to be seen, understood, and supported. The Director of Public Relations & Media Relations helps ensure Mentor A Promise's work reaches audiences who can become volunteers, advocates, donors, policymakers, educators, and lifelong partners in our mission.

Success Measures

• Growth in local, regional, and national earned media coverage
• Strong relationships with journalists and media organizations
• Increased public awareness of MAP's mission and impact
• Successful promotion of organizational initiatives, publications, podcasts, and events
• Expanded speaking, award, and recognition opportunities
• Positive media engagement and strengthened organizational reputation

Leadership Participation

• Attend PromiseVoice leadership meetings
• Participate in regular strategic planning sessions with the Senior Director of Communications
• Collaborate with executive leadership and leaders across all MAP divisions
• Lead organization-wide public relations and media initiatives

Volunteer Expectations

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment required
• Maintain timely and professional communication
• Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
• Support MAP's safeguarding standards, mission, and organizational values
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, cultural humility, and ethical communication practices

What You'll Gain

• Executive-level experience leading public relations and media strategy within a growing nonprofit organization
• Opportunities to build national media relationships and high-impact communications campaigns
• Collaboration with journalists, executive leaders, nonprofit professionals, authors, educators, and community partners
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• Meaningful experience helping amplify stories that advance equity, inspire action, and expand opportunities for children and families experiencing housing instability

Future Growth

As Mentor A Promise continues to grow, the Public Relations & Media Relations team may expand to include:

• Deputy Director of Public Relations & Media Relations
• Media Relations Manager
• Publicist
• Press Secretary
• Communications Coordinator
• Crisis Communications Specialist
• Executive Communications Writer
• Media Monitoring & Analytics Coordinator