Volunteer

Make an impact by sharing your skills

Volunteer with Us

Hundreds of volunteers play a key role in the success of our entrepreneurs every year. Empowering entrepreneurs starts with community support. Volunteers have amazing talents to contribute to our organization, and we do our best to match volunteers to customized opportunities at Ventures. We occasionally have one-time or specialized volunteer opportunities, but our greatest need for volunteers are for Business Basics Course Coaches.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Ventures, get started by:

Business Coach

Coaches work alongside small groups of entrepreneurs in our 8-week Business Basics Course. Coaches help students become more familiar with the business concepts they learn in class and guide them in applying those concepts to their specific businesses and situations. 

Responsibilities

  • Attend weekly classes that are held virtually via Zoom or in-person.
  • Work one-on-one and in small groups of entrepreneurs to apply concepts and lessons to their businesses via breakout groups.
  • Participate in large group discussions and assist the instructor in explaining key business concepts as needed.
  • Coaches are expected to attend at least six out of the eight sessions of the Business Basics Course. The Orientation that is held before the course begins is optional as well as the graduation.

Time Commitment

  • Business Basics Courses: 3 hours per week in class or online depending upon the current course structure.

Qualifications

  • Experience starting or growing your own business or basic knowledge of at least two key areas of small business development: sales, marketing, finance, and operations.
  • Passion for Ventures’ mission and belief in the abilities and potential of Ventures entrepreneurs.
  • Must be able to suspend judgment and listen deeply.
  • Patience and understanding of the many personal and systemic barriers to business-ownership that our business owners encounter.