Trending Now - Obama Presidential Center Seeks 100 Unpaid Volunteers Amid High CEO Salary
WHO:
President Barack Obama
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation
Obama Foundation
Deloitte Consulting LLP
WHAT:
The Obama Foundation is seeking 100 unpaid volunteers for the Obama Presidential Center.
The center has a budget of $850 million and is promoted as a $3.1 billion economic catalyst for Chicago’s South Side.
Valerie Jarrett earned $740,000 in 2024, 2023, and 2022.
Total salaries and benefits at the foundation increased from $18.5 million in 2018 to $43.7 million in 2024.
The center is expected to create 5,000 construction jobs.
More than 50% of construction contracts have been awarded to diverse firms.
33% of the construction workforce has come from South and West Side communities.
798 residents have enrolled in construction pre-apprenticeship programs.
WHERE:
Obama Presidential Center, Chicago, Illinois
Main office of the Obama Foundation located in Chicago’s Hyde Park
19.3-acre campus in Jackson Park, Chicago
WHEN:
The Obama Presidential Center is scheduled to open on June 19th, 2026 (Juneteenth).
Valerie Jarrett became CEO in 2021.
WHY:
The recruitment of volunteers is rooted in President Obama’s legacy of civic engagement.
The foundation describes the volunteer program as a key component of its mission.
HOW:
Volunteers will be designated as “ambassadors” to greet and direct visitors and share information about exhibits.
(UPDATED March 15, 2026 05:31 UTC)
The Obama Foundation is looking for 100 unpaid volunteers to serve as ambassadors at the upcoming Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which is set to open on June 19, 2026. With a budget of $850 million, the center is touted as a $3.1 billion economic catalyst for the South Side, expected to create 5,000 construction jobs, and over half of the contracts have been awarded to diverse firms. This initiative aligns with President Obama's legacy of civic engagement, as the foundation emphasizes the importance of community involvement in its mission.