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Campus Compact


VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America)

The MTCC VISTA Request for Proposals and application materials are currently available for current sites and new sites interested in hosting an MTCC VISTA for the July 2012-13 program year.  See attached materials at the bottom of the page for more information.

.Photo of MTCC VISTA members
MTCC July VISTA members just after being sworn into service at the Montana State Capitol

The Montana Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA (MTCC VISTA) program is a statewide National Service program that connects campus resources with critical community needs. These AmeriCorps*VISTAs serve in community based organizations, nonprofits, schools, and faith-based organizations in partnership with Montana college campuses. MTCC VISTAs work to address local poverty problems involving housing, school performance, and hunger. Past MTCC VISTA projects have resulted in new food pantries, strengthened campus-community partnerships, new community volunteer programs, grants for after school programs, communities mobilized to address critical needs, and hundreds of mobilized community volunteers. MTCC VISTAs organize people to address Montana's poverty problems.

MTCC AmeriCorps*VISTAs:

  • Assess K-12 school performance;
  • Assess food security and emergency food needs;
  • Assess low-income housing availability;  
  • Promote service-learning;
  • Organize and facilitate community groups and boards;
  • Connect service groups with high schools and colleges to increase the number of community service scholarships awarded;
  • Engage youth in community service;
  • Expand and start campus-community volunteer centers around Montana; 
  • Write grants to fund anti-poverty work; and
  • Launch community service web pages.

MTCC VISTA Service
MTCC VISTAs serve full-time for one year in communities across Montana. All MTCC VISTAs receive a living allowance, health care coverage, and may choose an AmeriCorps Education Award or cash stipend upon completion of their term of service. Members relocating to serve may also receive reimbursement of relocation expenses for travel and shipping costs. AmeriCorps Education Awards can be applied toward tuition or to pay down existing college loans. MTCC VISTAs may receive graduate credit for their service through the ALIVE program offered through The University of Montana’s Office for Civic Engagement. Because the service term with AmeriCorps is full-time, VISTAs cannot be current students (except through ALIVE) or hold other employment.

Next Steps (for those interested in serving)
The next MTCC VISTA class will begin serving in July 2012; we will begin accepting applications for this class of VISTAs in March, 2012. If you are looking for a meaningful service opportunity and a chance to serve in Big Sky country, call or email to request information and discuss the details. To apply, please fill out an AmeriCorps application at https://my.americorps.gov, do a Quick Search for “VISTA” in “Montana” and submit your AmeriCorps application to any one of our sites that is of interest.

Next Steps (for organizations interested in applying to host a VISTA project)
If you are a campus representative or community organization interested in hosting an MTCC VISTA and would like an application kit, information will be uploaded in early February.

Montana VISTAs on top of Mount Helena during Pre Service Orientation
Montana VISTAs on top of Mount Helena during Pre Service Orientation. Photo by Amanda Opitz.

VISTA Resources:

Host Site Resources:

For more information, please contact:


Brian Christianson, MTCC VISTA Program Manager
Montana Campus Compact
302 University Hall
Missoula, MT 59812-3960
(406) 243-5427