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Content Writer: Volunteer Opportunity

RIBBA is looking for a content writer to collect and share their organization’s impact. This position will be responsible for style and format consistency across all projects communicating to create the best content possible. This role will be part time and voluntary. 

Skills:

  • Exceptional Communication Skills
  • Exceptional writing and storytelling skills

Position Overview:

  • Reaching out to community members who’ve received services or funding from RIBBA to collect stories and testimonials.
  • Writing press releases and pitching stories to media
  • Writing blogs about RIBBA efforts and community issues

To learn more about this opportunity, email getinvolved@ri-bba.org.

Fundraising Specialist – Volunteer Opportunity

The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses in Rhode Island through access to capital, contracting, business development resources, entrepreneur training, business advocacy, meaningful investor services, and workforce development. 

RIBBA is made up of individuals and businesses of all sizes and membership is open to the public. The organization strives to build a purpose-driven Association where people unite and take actions to create lasting change. RIBBA values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, abilities, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, and gender identity.  

About the Fundraising Specialist Position 

Fundraising is an essential part of increasing our impact. This role will research, coordinate, and accomplish fund development activities. Including, but not limited to: national grants, corporate grants, community foundation grants, and other fundraising related activities. The incumbent will assist the organization in its long-term goal of creating a stronger organization with a wide array of funding sources.  

Key Responsibilities 

  • Research grant and funding opportunities 
  • Write and coordinate logistics around grant applications 
  • Work with RIBBA team to attain the data and necessary information 
  • Develop creative fundraising activities 

Job Competencies

  • Strong writing skills – able to express strong written narratives 
  • Experience with grant applications 
  • Experience with fundraising events, efforts, and projects 
  • Demonstrated excellent written and oral communications skills; must be able to communicate with a varied constituency. 
  • Excellent computer skills including, but not limited to, word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and web-based software required.

Education and Experienc

  • Two or more years of communications, grant writing, or direct fundraising experience. If no direct experience, then incumbent must demonstrate transferable experience from another field. 

Membership Chair – Volunteer Opportunity

The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses in Rhode Island through access to capital, contracting, business development resources, entrepreneur training, business advocacy, meaningful investor services, and workforce development. 

RIBBA is made up of individuals and businesses of all sizes and membership is open to the public. The organization strives to build a purpose-driven Association where people unite and take actions to create lasting change. RIBBA values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, abilities, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, and gender identity.  

About the Member Chair Position 

As an essential part of increasing our membership and its impact, RIBBA is seeking to fill the volunteer position of Membership Chair. The primary responsibility of this voluntary role is the management of the Association’s new-member recruitment, on-boarding, and current member review. The incumbent will assist the organization in its long-term goal of creating a stronger, more engaged, and diverse member base. 

The incumbent will be expected to utilize the organization’s communication and database tools to track and interact with member. An understanding of various technology and communications software a plus.  

Key Responsibilities 

  • Develop and implement a membership recruitment strategy 
  • Facilitate on-boarding strategy for members 
  • Periodic evaluation of membership 
  • Managing the membership database 
  • Other administrative and management duties as assigned 

Job Competencies

  • Strong interpersonal, communications, member management, program management, and motivational skills; must be a “self-starter”, with the ability to work independently. 
  • Demonstrated excellent written and oral communications skills; must be able to communicate with a varied constituency. 
  • Excellent computer skills including, but not limited to, word-processing, spreadsheet, database, social media, and web-based software required. 

Education and Experience

  • Two or more years of business development or customer relations experience required; demonstrated success in communications is highly preferred. If no direct experience, then incumbent must demonstrate transferable experience from another field. 
  • Previous experience working in a non-profit or community organizing setting preferred. 

Financial Professional Volunteer Opportunities

The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses in Rhode Island through access to capital, contracting, business development resources, entrepreneur training, business advocacy, meaningful investor services, and workforce development. 

CPAs and finance professionals have the ability and opportunity to make a difference in their communities. Many provide pro bono accounting services, consult on accounting and auditing matters, provide accounting or income tax assistance, or help in audit preparations. These volunteers come from all sectors of the accounting profession, including public accounting firms, private industry, government, and educational institutions. 

RIBBA is currently seeking financial service volunteers to assist in the following areas: 

Direct Accounting Assistance 

  • Tax preparation 
  • Preparation for the annual audit 
  • Reduced-rate auditing 
  • Designing and implementing accounting and control systems 
  • Consulting or Advisory Services 

Tax matters 

  • Financial management 
  • Budgets and forecasts 
  • Computer software selection 
  • Loan or grant applications 
  • Responsibilities in reporting to government agencies 
  • Business start-up consulting 

Community Service 

  • Providing free or low-cost seminars and workshops on accounting and finance. 
  • Serving on board of directors. 
  • Assisting in reconstructing records  
  • Speaking to young adults  
  • Giving lectures to minority business on basic accounting concepts, such as taxes, financial planning and personal cash management. 
  • Mentoring for women or minority small business owners. 
  • Offering bilingual assistance to small, minority-owned businesses. 
  • Mentoring accounting students.