VNN SkillBridge Fellowship

Community Engagement and Donor Development Coordinator

Veterans Navigation Network is pursuing participation as a SkillBridge employer to provide transitioning service members with hands-on civilian work experience in nonprofit community engagement, donor development, outreach, event coordination, volunteer engagement, and veteran-serving community work.

The VNN SkillBridge Fellowship is designed for service members who want to continue serving veterans, families, and communities after military service.

About Veterans Navigation Network

Veterans Navigation Network is a Montana-based nonprofit that provides no-cost support to veterans and their families as they navigate benefits, services, resources, peer connection, and community support.

VNN works alongside veterans, families, community partners, volunteers, donors, and service providers to help connect people to the right support at the right time.

Fellowship Overview

The VNN SkillBridge Fellowship: Community Engagement and Donor Development Coordinator is a full-time, in-person training opportunity based in Billings, Montana.

Participants train alongside VNN staff to learn how a veteran-serving nonprofit:

  • Builds trust in the community

  • Supports veterans and families through resource awareness

  • Plans and supports outreach events

  • Strengthens partnerships

  • Engages donors, sponsors, and volunteers

  • Communicates mission impact

  • Tracks follow-up and event outcomes

  • Translates military experience into civilian career skills

This is a supervised training opportunity. SkillBridge Fellows do not serve as independent Navigators, case managers, benefits advisors, or crisis responders. Any exposure to veteran resource navigation or client-facing services is supervised by appropriate VNN staff.

Duration and Schedule

Duration: 12 weeks / 480 hours / not to exceed 120 days
Location: Billings, Montana
Delivery Method: In person
Schedule: Full-time, generally Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Occasional evening or weekend events may be included, with schedule adjustments made during the same work week.

What Fellows Will Learn

By the end of the fellowship, participants should be able to:

  • Explain how veterans and families are connected to support through a nonprofit navigation model

  • Describe major veteran and family resource categories

  • Support planning and execution of community outreach events

  • Communicate professionally with community members, partners, donors, sponsors, and volunteers

  • Understand the basics of donor development, stewardship, and sponsor recognition

  • Contribute to digital outreach and campaign support

  • Track basic engagement outcomes and post-event follow-up needs

  • Complete a practical project that can serve as a civilian work sample

  • Identify civilian job pathways that match their skills and interests

Training Areas

The fellowship includes supervised training in:

  • VNN mission, programs, and organizational operations

  • Veteran services ecosystem and resource navigation awareness

  • Outreach event preparation, setup, engagement, and follow-up

  • Partner and provider engagement

  • Donor development and stewardship

  • Sponsorship and in-kind donation support

  • Volunteer engagement and committee support

  • Marketing, social media, and digital outreach

  • Event KPI tracking and reporting

  • Capstone project development

  • Resume language, career translation, and transition readiness

Career Pathways

This fellowship may support future employment in roles such as:

  • Community Engagement Coordinator

  • Outreach Coordinator

  • Volunteer Coordinator

  • Event Coordinator

  • Development Assistant

  • Donor Relations Assistant

  • Program Coordinator

  • Veteran Services Coordinator

  • Public Affairs or Communications Assistant

  • Community Relations Specialist

  • Nonprofit Program Support Specialist

Ideal Candidate

This opportunity may be a good fit for transitioning service members who:

  • Are eligible for SkillBridge and command approval

  • Can complete an in-person placement in Billings, Montana

  • Care about veterans, families, and community service

  • Enjoy working with people

  • Communicate professionally and respectfully

  • Are interested in nonprofit work, outreach, public service, fundraising, communications, volunteer coordination, event coordination, or program support

  • Want hands-on civilian work experience before separating from military service

No prior nonprofit, fundraising, or communications experience is required.

Training Outcome

VNN does not award an external license, credential, or certification through this fellowship.

Upon successful completion, participants may receive:

  • Up to 480 hours of supervised SkillBridge training

  • Practical experience in nonprofit community engagement and donor development

  • Supervised event, outreach, donor, partner, volunteer, and communications experience

  • A completed capstone project

  • Work samples when appropriate

  • Final performance evaluation

  • Resume bullet development

  • Civilian career pathway discussion

  • Transition-readiness feedback

How to Apply

Interested service members should first confirm SkillBridge eligibility with their command and SkillBridge/TAP office.

To express interest in the VNN SkillBridge Fellowship, please submit:

  • Resume

  • Brief statement of interest

  • Desired start date

  • Availability window

  • Command approval status, if known

Email: TJ@VeteransNavigation.org
Subject line: VNN SkillBridge Fellowship

Questions

For questions about the VNN SkillBridge Fellowship, contact:

TJ Rogers
Community Engagement Manager
Veterans Navigation Network
TJ@VeteransNavigation.org

Important Note

Participation is subject to SkillBridge eligibility, command approval, VNN availability, and final acceptance into the fellowship.