Volunteer: Volunteer STEM Coach Recruitment & Management Strategy

This is a volunteer opportunity provided by Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit creating social change through pro bono connections. We are expanding virtual STEM programming for girls in grades 7–12 and need to build a sustainable pipeline of qualified volunteer coaches in AI & Robotics and UI/UX Design. Curriculum, lesson plans, projects, and learning objectives are being developed separately; our primary capacity challenge is recruiting, screening, onboarding, scheduling, and retaining qualified volunteer coaches who can deliver the curriculum consistently. Because coaches will work directly with minors, the volunteer pipeline should include a clearly defined screening and compliance checkpoint that can accommodate Girls Set Go requirements as well as any additional volunteer-vetting requirements established by future school, education, or after-school partners. We are not asking the consultant to research or recommend a specific background-check vendor or compliance process. Girls Set Go is expanding our virtual STEM programming for girls in grades 7–12 (ages 12–18) and needs to build a sustainable pipeline of qualified volunteer coaches in AI & Robotics and UI/UX Design. Our curriculum, lesson plans, projects, and learning objectives are being developed separately, so our primary capacity challenge is creating an effective system for recruiting, screening, onboarding, scheduling, and retaining volunteer coaches who can deliver the curriculum consistently. As we expand our programs and pursue partnerships with schools and education systems, we need to build a reliable coaching network that can support our growing programs. Because coaches will work directly with minors, the framework should include a clearly defined screening and compliance checkpoint that can accommodate Girls Set Go requirements as well as any additional volunteer-vetting requirements established by future school, district, or program partners. We are not asking the consultant to research or recommend a specific background-check vendor or compliance process. Girls Set Go is also developing partnerships with schools, education organizations, and established after-school networks. The volunteer coach framework should therefore be flexible enough to accommodate partner-specific screening or volunteer-vetting requirements from the outset. The goal is to establish a repeatable volunteer talent pipeline that can support upcoming cohorts while giving Girls Set Go the infrastructure to recruit and manage qualified coaches as the organization grows. Girls Set Go Mission: To empower girls of color from underserved communities with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities to excel in STEM — and to emerge as confident leaders shaping a more equitable and innovative future.