Editor-in-Chief (Volunteer)

Description
Editor-in-Chief (Volunteer)
PromisePress | Editorial & Publishing Office
Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Division: PromisePress — Editorial & Publishing Office
Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed
Type: Volunteer (Senior Editorial Leadership Role)
About Mentor A Promise & PromisePress
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, creative expression, and community-based initiatives.
PromisePress is MAP’s publishing and narrative division. It oversees children’s books, essays, reports, blogs, scripts, and long-form storytelling that shape how families, educators, partners, and the public understand housing instability, dignity, and opportunity.
PromisePress operates with a strong commitment to editorial integrity, trauma-informed practice, cultural responsiveness, and ethical storytelling .
Role Overview
The Editor-in-Chief (Volunteer) is the senior editorial authority within PromisePress / the Editorial & Publishing Office . This role sets and safeguards MAP’s editorial vision, standards, and ethics across all published content.
The Editor-in-Chief ensures that every piece of content—whether a children’s book, report, essay, or script—is accurate, developmentally appropriate, mission-aligned, and produced with care for consent, dignity, and child safety .
This role works closely with the Executive Office, Children’s Books Lead, Acquisitions, Communications, and Creative teams.
Key Responsibilities
Set and steward the editorial vision, voice, and standards for PromisePress
Oversee all editorial output across children’s publishing, digital content, and media
Establish and uphold editorial ethics, consent protocols, and safeguarding standards
Review and approve high-impact or sensitive content
Lead, mentor, and support editors, writers, and editorial volunteers
Establish editorial workflows, review processes, and quality controls
Collaborate with Children’s Books, Acquisitions, Art Direction, and Communications teams
Serve as senior editorial advisor to MAP leadership
Qualifications
Experience in editorial leadership, publishing, journalism, or content strategy
Strong editorial judgment and command of tone, clarity, and narrative integrity
Deep understanding of trauma-informed and culturally responsive storytelling
Experience managing or mentoring writers and editors
Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills
Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values
Preferred Backgrounds
Children’s publishing, nonprofit media, education, or public-interest journalism
Experience working with sensitive subject matter or vulnerable communities
Familiarity with editorial governance, style guides, and publishing workflows
Experience shaping editorial policy or content standards
Commitment
Volunteer senior leadership role within PromisePress
Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration
What You’ll Gain
Executive-level editorial leadership experience in nonprofit publishing
Direct influence over MAP’s public narrative and children’s literature
Collaboration with writers, educators, artists, and leadership
Professional references and letters of recommendation
The opportunity to steward ethical, meaningful stories with lasting impact
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist, please include your resume and cover letter.
For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org
Help lead PromisePress—ensuring every word published by MAP reflects care, integrity, and respect for the children and families we serve.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.