Job Description

Fashion Designer (Volunteer)

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location: Remote, with potential NYC-based collaboration

Type: Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, social-emotional learning, academic enrichment, and creative expression, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive.

Our fashion initiative, Thread & Promise , brings this mission to life through design. By creating apparel and merchandise rooted in stories of resilience and hope, Thread & Promise raises awareness, inspires action, and generates support for MAP’s programs. Each piece is designed to connect creativity with purpose and to reflect the voices of the communities we serve.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Volunteer Fashion Designer to help shape the creative direction of Thread & Promise. The Fashion Designer will develop designs for apparel, accessories, and merchandise that embody MAP’s values of equity, empowerment, and hope. This role is ideal for a designer who is both innovative and socially conscious, with a passion for using fashion as a platform for storytelling and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design apparel, accessories, and merchandise under the Thread & Promise brand
• Develop sketches, mood boards, and technical design files for production
• Collaborate with MAP’s creative, communications, and program teams on campaigns and collections
• Research sustainable materials, ethical production methods, and mission-aligned vendors
• Contribute ideas for merchandise lines, seasonal collections, and fundraising campaigns
• Ensure all designs authentically reflect MAP’s brand identity and mission
• Check and respond to emails daily, with all responses completed within 48 hours
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by evaluating design processes and implementing creative solutions for greater impact

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in fashion or apparel design, supported by a portfolio
• Proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or CLO3D
• Knowledge of textiles, garment construction, and design trends
• Ability to translate brand concepts into wearable and impactful designs
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Passion for social-impact design and amplifying underserved communities

Preferred Skills

• Experience with sustainable or ethical fashion practices
• Knowledge of production, sourcing, or merchandising processes
• Familiarity with nonprofit, mission-driven, or social enterprise branding
• Illustration or custom artwork capabilities

What You’ll Gain

• A unique opportunity to design for a nonprofit with a bold, mission-driven vision
• Hands-on experience contributing to a social-impact fashion line
• Collaboration with a creative and values-driven team
• A portfolio project that unites fashion with purpose and advocacy
• Professional references and letters of recommendation to support future opportunities

Application Process

Please send your resume, LinkedIn profile, and fashion design portfolio to hr@mentorapromise.org along with a brief statement of interest.

Design with purpose. With Thread & Promise, every garment carries a story of mentorship, resilience, and hope.

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