Small Business Support & Development Service Member

Scope of AmeriCorps Service

Location: 3919 Church St, Clarkston, GA 30021
Position Type: AmeriCorps
Supervisor: John Arnold, Thrive Community Lending Executive Director

Position Summary
The AmeriCorps Member will support the mission of Thrive Community Lending (Thrive) by expanding access to capital and technical assistance for underserved entrepreneurs, particularly immigrants, refugees, and low- to moderate-income individuals. The member will play a key role in strengthening Thrive’s borrower pipeline, supporting small business clients, and advancing outreach efforts through research and connection with potential partners. Through direct service activities, the member will help reduce barriers to entrepreneurship by connecting aspiring business owners to financial education, lending opportunities, and individualized support that promotes income growth and economic stability. This service addresses critical community needs by increasing access to responsible capital, fostering small business creation, and contributing to job creation and economic mobility in historically underserved communities.

Hours and Service Site
This position serves during regular Thrive hours of operation Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM with occasional evening and weekend service. The Thrive office is located at 3919 Church Street, Suite 206, Clarkston, GA 30021. This position will include service from the Thrive office and service within the community.

Key Responsibilities
1. Technical Assistance Support

• Assist in coordinating and delivering technical assistance to small business borrowers and prospective clients
• Support client intake, needs assessments, and follow-up communication
• Help organize workshops, trainings, and one-on-one advising sessions
• Maintain accurate records of client engagement and outcomes

2. Pipeline Development

• Conduct outreach to community partners, referral organizations, and local business networks
• Support marketing and outreach efforts to attract new loan applicants
• Assist in screening prospective borrowers and preparing files for review
• Track and report on pipeline activity and borrower progress

3. Partnership Development

• Research potential partners including community-based organizations, small business support entities, and corporate partners
• Help maintain a database of current and prospective partners
• Support effective communication with partner organizations

4. Program & Coordination:

• Assist with data entry, reporting, and documentation
• Support special projects and events
• Update and track goal outputs/outcomes with accuracy and timeliness
• Coordinate program activities with Thrive and our parent organization to ensure efficiency
• Attend meetings as required
• Maintain personal and professional boundaries in the performance of the job
• Forge mutually respectful partnerships with clients, co-workers, and referral sources
• Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, and instructions
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet program needs

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Strong interest in community development, small business support, or economic mobility
• Ability to serve in a respectful and culturally-aware manner with people of multiple ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to serve independently and manage multiple tasks
• Experience with research, outreach, or customer service preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); familiarity with CRM systems is a plus
• Fluency in a language(s) besides English is a plus

Learning Objectives / Member Development

• Through this service experience, the AmeriCorps Member will:
• Gain hands-on experience in community development finance and nonprofit operations
• Develop skills in client engagement, outreach, and program coordination
• Build knowledge of small business lending and technical assistance practices
• Strengthen professional skills in research, writing, and stakeholder engagement

Service Term Details

• This is an AmeriCorps service position, not employment
• Member will serve 10–12 months
• Member will receive a living allowance and education award upon successful completion of service