"Meeting with my mentees on Saturdays is the highlight of my week! They have taught me just as much as I've taught them. And it's especially meaningful to help them open up the doors that others opened up for me early in my career.
- Marvin, Class of 2022 Mentor
The Minds Matter volunteer experience offers committed and caring individuals the opportunity to belong to a community of service-minded peers as well as the chance to build their leadership skills and carry the organization to new levels each year. More than 100 volunteers from diverse career backgrounds in Cleveland help Minds Matter achieve its mission each year.
How to Apply
1. Submit your application here.
2. Participate in 30-minute phone conversation and interview.
3. Receive decision within two weeks of interview.
Are you interested in joining our team?
If you're interested in joining our team, please fill out the online application. A member of our leadership team will respond to you soon thereafter.
Current Volunteer Positions Available:
Unless noted, our volunteer opportunities are currently in-person.
MENTORS
Mentors guide, challenge, and celebrate their student through their three years in the program. As a mentor, you'll act as a caring adult in your mentee's life, providing emotional and consistent support while sharing insight from your own journey to college and beyond.
How it Works
Minds Matter utilizes a 2:2 mentor-mentee model: mentors work with their student alongside one other adult mentor to form a pod. Every week, pods work through the Minds Matter curriculum, which guides students through exercises to develop the hard and soft skills they need to succeed in college. Mentors commit to following their student throughout their three years in the program. Together, mentor pods form the backbone of a student's experience in Minds Matter.
Additional Requirements
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- Mentors are required to be college graduates of 4-year colleges or universities.
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- Mentors are required to pass a criminal background check and undergo child protection training.
Commitment: Approximately 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM, Saturdays from September/October to May, with the exception of holiday weekends and ACT test days. 80% attendance required.
TUTORS
Utilizing Kaplan resources, tutors work with students one-on-one or in small groups to help elevate students' ACT scores. No prior ACT expertise is required, but rather a commitment to helping the student progress. Please complete our application if interested.
Commitment: in the window of 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, at least 5 Saturdays per semester
INSTRUCTORS
Instructors provide academic and ACT preparation instruction in classroom format in various subjects, including ACT preparation and college-level critical thinking and analysis skills. If you are interested in becoming an instructor with Minds Matter, please contact sara@mindsmattercleveland.org.
Commitment: Approximately 1 hour in the morning, Saturdays during the academic year
WRITING COUNCILORS
Writing Councilors work with students via email to review and provide feedback on student applications to summer programs, college admissions, and scholarships. Writing Councilors have the availability to review student essays via email, with an anticipated turn-around time of approximately one week. Please complete our application if interested.
Commitment: 2-4 hours a week but varies depending on time of year, working remotely
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Minds Matter Cleveland relies on a committed corps of leaders in our community who help run our student-facing programming. Serving as a leadership team member offers a unique and meaningful opportunity to serve a critical role in the implementation of our program services and develop your leadership skills. Please reach out to contact@mindsmattercleveland.org for more information or submit your information via the links below.
Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Minds Matter's volunteers?
Our volunteers are college graduates at varying stages of their careers looking to make a difference in their community by directly impacting a high school student's chance at a college education.
What is the time commitment for a typical volunteer?
The time commitment varies depending on the role. Our typical volunteer in these positions volunteers:
- Mentor: 2 hours per week, 80% attendance of ~32 weeks per year
- Tutor: 1-3 hours per week, minimum 5 weeks per year
- Writing Council: varies
- Executive Team: 2-6 hours per week, year-round
What types of volunteer activities take place outside of regular session?
Minds Matter of Cleveland organizes volunteer-only activities, such as happy hours, day trips, and attending events in the city together throughout the year.
Does Minds Matter offer short-term volunteer opportunities?
While the majority of Minds Matter volunteer opportunities are long-term commitments of at least one school year (about nine months), some short-term volunteer opportunities do exist. Reach out to contact@mindsmattercleveland.org if this might be a better fit for you!
What kind of commitment is expected of volunteers with regards to fundraising?
Volunteers can help with fundraising by seeking out matching gifts and volunteer grants from their companies. (There are no penalties for not participating.)