Become an AmeriCorps VISTA
Work with local organizations on important community issues and take home an education award at the end of your year of service!
AmeriCorps VISTA members serve for a year building the capacity of local non-profit organizations and public agencies in the Northland with the ultimate goal of eradicating poverty. The Eco3 VISTA Corps focuses on addressing poverty holistically from various angles such as food access and systems, government policy, community development, education, public health, creative place-making, energy security, and more.
The Eco3 VISTA Program matches passionate individuals to positions with community partners, supports our members with resources and training in community engagement and professional development, and connects members with social, cultural, and outdoor experiences.
Make an impact in your community by serving with Ecolibrium3's AmeriCorps VISTA cohort!
Learn More About Eco3 VISTA
Eco3 VISTA is a program of AmeriCorps. VISTAs serve for a year with local nonprofit organizations or public agencies. VISTAs address issues like poverty, health, hunger, affordable housing, energy security, environment, and community development.
Eco3 VISTA members work with organizations that are deeply embedded in the community to help develop solutions to community challenges through leveraging resources, building partnerships, expanding reach and improving organizational efficiency.
While serving their communities, Eco3 VISTA members also gain valuable experience and access to professional development opportunities, become a part of a passionate and service-oriented cohort, and upon completion of service, take home an education award or cash stipend.
- Living Stipend: Adjusted to local income levels, the stipend is a modest amount to cover basic living expenses. In Duluth, the stipend is $22,819 per year.
- End of Service Education Award or Stipend: Upon successful completion of your VISTA service, members can choose a cash stipend of about $1,800 or a $7,395 award for education expenses like student loans or tuition.
- Professional Development: Includes training, workshops, and a $150 stipend for individual professional development throughout your VISTA service.
- Housing Stipend: Members of the Ecolibrium3 VISTA Program receive a housing stipend to help with housing expenses during their service year.
- Healthcare and Childcare: Qualified members can choose a health reimbursement or plan and childcare support.
- Public Benefits: Members can enroll in Minnesota benefits, including healthcare and housing assistance with help from Eco3 staff.
- Relocation Allowance: VISTA members can receive payment to help with the costs of relocating to Minnesota!
- Non-Competitive Eligibility and other Alumni Resources: After service, members can participate in AmeriCorps Alumni networks and receive Non-Competitive Eligibility for some federal employment.
For more information, check out the VISTA Benefits webpage on AmeriCorps.gov or contact us with any questions related to service or benefits!
Our VISTAs serve across Northern Minnesota, but our nucleus is in the City of Duluth. Duluth is a beautiful city located right on the shoreline of Lake Superior. Easy access to the beach, hiking trails, winter sports, live music, restaurants, and a community of passionate individuals and organizations are just some of the reasons to spend your year of service here.
Why Should You Serve?
“My experiences with St. Louis County and AmeriCorps absolutely prepared me for a public health career!”
-Stephany, ’19-20
“I was able to get into the mindset of ‘I know I can do this, I just have to ask a lot of questions and jump into it, and be confident.’”
-Lena, ’22-23
“I was given the opportunity to work at the intersection between big state and federal resources and intensely local community work.”
-Lucas, ’18-20
“I’m in my last year of law school now, and I use the experience I got at NERSDP every day.”
-Joel, ’20-21
“VISTA helps you find your vocation: the place where your talents and skills meet the needs of the world.”
-Tracy, ’21-22
“It connected and prepared me for the high performance design work I do now.”
-Leah, ’20-21
Open Positions
Ecolibrium3 places VISTAs in a variety of host sites to serve in many different fields. All Eco3 VISTAs work toward the shared goals of building community capacity and addressing poverty in Northern Minnesota. Check out our available positions!
The volunteer will build the organizational capacity of Divine Konnections to serve families experiencing homelessness and housing instability by developing administrative systems, data tracking tools, and volunteer engagement infrastructure. The volunteer will address poverty by strengthening the organizational systems that serve as the foundation for community assistance, expansion of community partnerships, and long-term organizational stability. This will increase the organization’s capacity to connect low-income families to stable housing and economic opportunity. The VISTA’s work will result in a set of lasting administrative tools and a sustainability plan for maintaining them after the VISTA’s term ends.
Application deadline: 10/15/2026
Start date: 11/16/2026
LISC Duluth works alongside neighborhood organizations, residents, government, philanthropy, and the private sector to advance community-driven solutions that create stronger neighborhoods and expand opportunity. LISC Duluth also works to convene partners, strengthen local capacity, and help align public and private investment around shared community priorities. Through these efforts, LISC supports the development and preservation of affordable housing, community facilities, commercial corridors, small businesses, workforce opportunities, and other investments that help neighborhoods grow stronger today while building long-term prosperity. The Eco3 VISTA Corps focuses on addressing poverty by addressing food access and systems, government policy, community development, education, health and wellness, creative placemaking, energy security, and more. Eco3 VISTA members work with organizations that are deeply embedded in the community to help develop solutions to community challenges by leveraging resources, building partnerships, expanding reach, and improving organizational efficiency.
Application deadline: 10/15/2026
Start date: 11/16/2026
Find Out the Latest
Stay up to date with what our VISTA members are doing in the community!
Turning Remembrance into Service: 9/11 Day of Service at Eco3
This year, our AmeriCorps members spent this 9/11 Day of Service serving our local Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Food Corps Volunteering Summer Wrap-Up!
As we say goodbye to our Food Corps team, we’d love to highlight some of the incredible work they’ve accomplished this summer.
Welcoming 26 New AmeriCorps Volunteers!
This month we had 26 new AmeriCorps volunteers join us across three programs! We are so excited for another great year inspiring sustainable and equitable change in the community, and to watch each new volunteer grow and develop their service skills.