Lawyer (Volunteer – Legal Affairs & Compliance Division)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.

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Attorney (Volunteer – Legal Affairs & Compliance Division)

Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division Legal Affairs, Compliance & Policy

Location New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet

Type Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, academic enrichment, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative arts, advocacy, and community-centered initiatives, MAP works to ensure that every young person has access to safety, consistency, opportunity, and a supportive community.

The Legal Affairs & Compliance Division helps safeguard the organization by ensuring that MAP adheres to federal, state, and city nonprofit regulations; protects youth and families; and maintains high standards of ethics, transparency, and legal compliance. This division also supports policy initiatives that uplift youth experiencing homelessness.

About The Role

We are seeking Nonprofit Attorneys to provide legal guidance, compliance oversight, and strategic advisory support across MAP’s programs, policies, and organizational infrastructure.

This role is ideal for attorneys committed to nonprofit excellence, youth protection, housing justice, and mission-driven legal work. Attorneys may support matters involving compliance, contracts, risk mitigation, intellectual property, corporate governance, employment considerations for volunteers, and regulatory filings.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise MAP leadership on legal compliance, nonprofit governance, and regulatory requirements (IRS 501(c)(3), NYS AG Charities Bureau, NYS Education Law, NYC DOE partner policies, etc.).
• Support the drafting, review, and revision of organizational policies, agreements, volunteer documentation, MOUs, media releases, and program-related contracts.
• Ensure MAP’s practices align with federal and state nonprofit laws, youth protection regulations, confidentiality standards, and data privacy requirements.
• Provide legal insight on intellectual property for MAP programs, including PromisePress publications, Threads of Voices, and creative works.
• Assist the Compliance Team in developing training materials and legal guidance for staff, volunteers, and program partners.
• Review legal risks related to programming, partnership agreements, online platforms, and youth-facing initiatives.
• Collaborate with Policy Analysts and Advocacy teams on legal research that supports policy briefs and youth advocacy efforts.
• Advise on corporate governance, board compliance, and organizational record-keeping standards.
• Participate in Google Meet meetings with MAP’s legal and leadership teams.
• Check and respond to email daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Commit to continuous improvement by integrating feedback and strengthening legal processes.
  
  

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) and active license to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction (New York preferred).
• Experience in nonprofit law, youth services, education law, corporate governance, contracts, or compliance.
• Strong legal writing, research, and policy analysis skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Commitment to youth protection, equity, ethics, and community-centered work.
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills.
  
  

Bonus Skills (not Required)

• Experience with intellectual property law, publishing, or media rights.
• Knowledge of housing law, family law, shelter regulations, or education law.
• Experience advising early-stage nonprofits.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred).
  
  

Commitment

• Volunteer role, 5–10 hours per week depending on caseload.
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred.
• Hybrid In-person meetings in NYC and/or remote participation via Google Meet.
  
  

What You’ll Gain

• Experience shaping the legal framework of a rapidly growing youth-focused nonprofit.
• Opportunities to mentor emerging legal volunteers and policy researchers.
• Impactful contributions protecting youth, families, and community programs.
• Collaboration with MAP leadership, policy teams, advocacy teams, and program staff.
• Letters of recommendation and strong professional references.
• The fulfillment of ensuring that vulnerable youth receive safe, legally compliant, and ethically operated services.
  
  

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at hr@mentorapromise.org

Protect with purpose — help build a legally sound, ethical, and mission-aligned foundation for the youth and communities Mentor A Promise serves.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, our volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals who are based in the United States. This limitation is due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements associated with our work. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.