Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: $22.00 per hour
Organization Overview
Nourishing Hope is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit providing food and social services for anyone in need. Founded in 1970, were one of the largest and longest operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago. We also provide free, trauma-informed mental health counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance. We strive to serve the needs of the whole person with respect and dignity, always.
Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:
- Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs;
- Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities;
- Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.
Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, Nourishing Hope will provide about 200,000 food and social services to our Chicago neighbors.
Position Summary
The Volunteer Engagement Coordinators primary responsibility is to create a positive volunteer experience at Nourishing Hope. Reporting to the Manager of Volunteer Engagement, this position will focus on meeting the volunteer needs of the organization by stewarding and coordinating volunteers and volunteer groups via hands-on opportunities at our four locations. The Volunteer Engagement Coordinator helps manage and support over 100,000 volunteer hours annually and will work in person. As needed, this position will support and travel to all Nourishing Hope locations and assist in building strong relationships with the volunteer and donor communities.
Schedule and Locations
This position primarily works out of the Hub, located at 5151 N Ravenswood.
The work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday and may require Saturday shifts at Nourishing Hope headquarters located at 1716 N Hubbard.
Essential Job Functions
- Group Coordination & Experience Management: Serve as the lead coordinator for volunteer groups of five or more, managing all communications, scheduling, and on-site logistics across Nourishing Hopes four city locations. You will partner with the development and program teams to ensure a seamless experience from the initial inquiry to the completion of their service shift.
- Donor Stewardship & Community Partnerships: Act as a liaison for schools, residential buildings, and small businesses to introduce them to volunteer activities and fundraising opportunities. You will manage a portfolio of small business partners and collaborate on stewardship plans to convert volunteers into long-term financial supporters.
- Communications & Resource Development: Support high-level volunteer engagement by producing the Monthly Volunteer Bulletin and updating orientation materials and website content. You will also manage on-site resources, such as delivering announcements, guiding tours, and maintaining the cafe board and name tag systems.
- Data Management & Recruitment: Utilize agency-wide data tools to maintain accurate volunteer records and monitor attendance trends. You will actively support recruitment and retention strategies for individual volunteers to ensure a steady pipeline of support for all organizational programs.
- Mission Advocacy & Team Support: Represent Nourishing Hope as a community ambassador, promoting the organizations mission and values to the larger public. Additionally, you will supervise interns and provide cross-departmental support as assigned to meet evolving program needs.
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma required; associates or bachelors degree preferred
- 1-3 years experience working with volunteers in a non-profit, events, or fundraising setting
- Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
- Ability to work collaboratively across the development department and organization
- Energized by working with groups of people in a fast-paced environment
- Comfortable with public speaking
- Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
- Possess the ability to multitask, have great attention to detail and stay organized
- Possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
- An understanding of, and belief in, the importance of food security for everyone.
Highly Preferred
- Experience with Salesforce or other CRM database platform
Pay and Benefits
Hourly rate: $22.00 per hour
Full-time benefits include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off
- Paid birthday holiday
- Employee Assistance Program
- Parental leave
- Language pay (Spanish, Russian, Polish)
- $250 employee referral bonus
- Free subscription to mental wellness app
Background Check
Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local law.
We kindly ask that agencies and recruiters refrain from reaching out. Unsolicited sales messages will be blocked and reported as spam.