Volunteer Communications & Partnerships Lead - Executive Team: Connect People Through Art!

One conversation can lead to a new workshop, a creative partnership, or a team of volunteers ready to make a difference. Help start those conversations!

Hands & Canvas is a youth-founded, volunteer-led initiative based in Toronto that makes art more accessible through free workshops and community projects. Through Beyond the Studio, volunteers also create donated artwork, handmade gifts, colouring pages, and art kits.

We’re looking for a Volunteer Communications & Partnerships Lead to join our executive team. If you enjoy connecting with people, writing thoughtful messages, and keeping everyone informed, we’d love to hear from you!

YOUR ROLE:

Working directly with the founder, you’ll help connect Hands & Canvas with schools, community spaces, and organizations interested in hosting workshops or receiving creative donations.

You’ll also help volunteers and chapter leads stay informed, find suitable contacts, and build relationships in their communities.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Research potential workshop hosts and Beyond the Studio recipient organizations.

• Draft personalized introductory emails and follow up on conversations.

• Help respond to enquiries from organizations and prospective volunteers.

• Coordinate meetings, prepare discussion points, and record next steps.

• Maintain a contact tracker to keep conversations and commitments organized.

• Help chapter leads identify local opportunities and prepare outreach.

• Create volunteer updates, welcome messages, and communication templates.

• Work with the founder to confirm partner needs and arrangements.

• Collaborate with fundraising and marketing leads as those roles are filled.

You might introduce our workshops to a community centre, ask an organization what creative donations would be useful, or help a new chapter make its first local connection.

HOW WE’LL SUPPORT YOU:

You’ll receive an introduction to our programs, current relationships, and outreach priorities, along with background information and sample messages.

We’ll prepare your first outreach together, review drafts, and check in regularly. You’ll gradually take ownership of agreed conversations while keeping the founder informed.

Workshop dates, donation arrangements, and other commitments will be confirmed with the founder and relevant program lead before being promised to an organization.

You’ll also help chapter leads develop their outreach skills so they can build local relationships with our support.

WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS ROLE?

This could be a great fit if you:

• Enjoy writing, connecting with people, and learning about community organizations.

• Communicate warmly and professionally.

• Keep track of details and follow up reliably.

• Are comfortable using email, shared documents, and spreadsheets.

• Want experience in communications, partnerships, or community engagement.

• Care about making creative opportunities available to more people.

High school students, university students, and adults are welcome. Experience with clubs, customer service, outreach, or community projects is helpful, but not required.

You don’t need an existing network or to be naturally outgoing. Thoughtful listening and clear writing matter just as much!

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:

Join an executive team and build experience in professional writing, outreach, relationship-building, and volunteer communications. Meet people who care about art and help turn conversations into creative opportunities.

Completed volunteer hours can be documented and verified. Students should confirm eligibility with their school.

YOUR FIRST STEPS:

You’ll get to know our programs and existing conversations, help organize our contact tracker, and identify a small group of organizations to approach. Then we’ll prepare your first messages and agree on a follow-up plan.

We value respectful communication, thoughtful connections, and keeping everyone clear on next steps.

LOCATION AND COMMITMENT:

This is an unpaid, remote volunteer opportunity open across Canada, including Vaughan and York Region. Meetings take place online; any local visits would be arranged separately.

Expect approximately 2 to 4 hours per week, with flexibility around school or work. Timely replies and reliable follow-through are important.

A commitment of at least three months is preferred so you can help conversations develop into lasting relationships.

HOW TO APPLY:

Simply apply on Volunteer Vaughn or email brianlu086@gmail.com with the subject “Communications & Partnerships Lead” and include:

• Why this role interests you.

• Your city or town and province or territory.

• Your availability and expected length of commitment.

• Any relevant experience or interests: school, club, and personal projects count!

• One type of organization you’d like to connect with and why.

We’d love to hear what you’d like to contribute!

Learn more at handsandcanvas.com or contact Founder & Operations Executive Brian Lu at brianlu086@gmail.com.