Climate Solutions Associate, Illinois PIRG - Chicago, IL

 Title: Climate Solutions Associate

Type: Full-time, in-person

Location: Chicago, IL
Pay: $37-38k/year

PIRG has a 50-year history of consumer advocacy, advancing policy solutions to problems that affect our health, our safety and our well-being. The Climate Solutions Associate will work closely with our state director and our network of coalition partners and volunteers to run campaigns, like shifting off of gas to heat our homes, increasing energy conservation and energy efficiency, and promoting renewable energy.

Apply here.

Associate, Freedman Consulting LLC - Hybrid (D.C. OR Bay Area, CA)

 Freedman Consulting, LLC: Associate

Washington, DC or Bay Area, California*
Anticipated Start: May/June 2025

Freedman Consulting, LLC, a mission-driven consulting firm, seeks an Associate to provide assistance with policy research, deliverable development, and operational support for firm clients across a broad portfolio of issues. The Associate will join a growing team of almost 50 staff members working at the intersection of policy, philanthropy, and politics.

Firm Overview

Freedman Consulting, LLC, offers strategic consulting services to foundations, nonprofit organizations, and public interest coalitions, partnering with many of the nation’s leading philanthropic institutions. Our work includes strategic planning and issue landscaping for major foundations, advising and coordination for coalitions, and policy development for a variety of public interest efforts and spans topics including public-private partnerships, economic mobility, clean energy and climate sustainability, criminal justice reform, and technology policy.

Primary Responsibilities

Associates work across a range of policy areas and client services. Primary responsibilities include:

• Researching and drafting presentations, reports, and memos related to client projects
• Assisting in the development and execution of client activities and events
• Contributing to preparation for client meetings and presentations
• Providing administrative, operational, and logistical support on client teams, including scheduling, maintaining internal and external task lists, and note taking
• Supporting cross-functional firm needs  

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate:

Approximately 1-3 years of research, legislative, communications, consulting, or policy-related experience is preferred. Applicants must possess strong writing and research skills, attention to detail, and the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. 

The expected salary range for this position is $60,000-$65,000 and is commensurate with experience. In addition to base annual compensation, Freedman Consulting offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare coverage, a 401k profit sharing plan, paid vacation, personal and sick leave, and other valuable benefits. The firm also offers a discretionary annual bonus based on individual and firm performance. 

We are currently accepting applications to fill positions opening in May/June 2025 and welcome upcoming graduates to apply. To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter. Candidates selected for interviews will be asked to submit two writing samples. 

Learn more/APPLY here!

Advocacy & Engagement Associate, IL Action for Children - Chicago, IL

 ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

SUMMARY:

The Advocacy & Engagement Associate is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage families, providers, community members, and partners to amplify Illinois Action for Children (IAFC)’s reach statewide and develop early childhood champions. Working under the direction of the Assistant Director of Advocacy, the Associate will use a variety of communication tools and platforms to grow public awareness of early childhood education and care issues and build advocacy capacity among IAFC’s various audiences and constituencies. In addition, the Associate will support engagement and communication efforts related to research projects and studies, including outreach to participants and dissemination of findings, in collaboration with IAFC’s Research team. The Associate will also represent IAFC with external partners, collaborators, and groups and work cross-divisionally within IAFC on communication and marketing efforts.

The Advocacy & Engagement Associate is expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

• Collaborate with Public Policy, Research & Advocacy (PPRA) team members and IAFC Marketing & Communicationsdepartment to strategically create content for digital communications (social media, email marketing, etc.) to support IAFC’s policy agenda with the goals of amplifying reach and engagement statewide.
• With the Assistant Director of Advocacy, develop trainings, tools, and resources to build advocacy capacity and leadership and to create champions across various constituencies.
• Identify and support opportunities and communications strategies to make research findings relatable and actionable to various audiences.
• Convene in-person and virtual public education, awareness-building events and other engagement opportunities.
• Draft advocacy communications, including action alerts, monthly e-Advocate and We, the Village newsletters, and other communications materials as needed.
• Serve as Co-Chair of the We, the Village Communications Committee and represent IAFC in communications efforts of partner organizations and coalitions.
• Support communication and engagement efforts and campaigns regarding various PPRA initiatives, including research projects.
• Create, update, and maintain content for We, the Village social media and website
• Work with IAFC Marketing & Communications department to update IAFC website with relevant materials as needed.
• Support planning of annual advocacy event in Springfield, IL, in partnership with PPRA team members and external collaborators.
• Serve as PPRA Marketing Liaison and convene regular PPRA and Marketing meetings
• Execute our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree and one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Public speaking, writing, editing, social justice advocacy campaign/organizing and social media experience and/or skills required.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communications and community engagement skills
• Ability to travel throughout city and state
• Ability to work independently
• Knowledge of Canva, WordPress, Facebook, Voter Voice and/or other social media, communications, and advocacy software and platforms preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Knowledge of early childhood care/education programs preferred
• Valid driver’s license and insurance

Salary: $53,000 (annualized) based on background and experience

Learn more/APPLY here!

Development Associate (East), Obama Foundation - Remote

 Purpose of Role

As a member of the Development team, the Development Associate, East will play a critical role in the functioning of the East fundraising team. The Associate will serve in a project management capacity, responsible for developing and driving key activities and initiatives for the team so that fundraisers can maximize their time on frontline donor activities. This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Development, East.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Events: Liaise between the East fundraising and Development events teams to design and executive bespoke cultivation and stewardship events for the region and ensure effective follow-up with donors and prospects.

• Volunteer/Surrogate Management: Assist in supporting and managing the region’s Board members, Foundation Leadership, Alumni, Regional Leadership Council(s), and other vital surrogates to engage in fundraising for the region effectively.

• Principal Gift Support: Support the Senior Director of Development to assist in managing a portfolio of principal gift-level prospects. Opportunity to shadow frontline fundraisers during donor engagements and develop experience working directly with prospects.

• Project Management: Design projects, track next steps, and ensure completion.

• Team Coordination: Coordinate the activities of the Development Analyst, East, and provide guidance, support, and quality control as needed.

• Strategic Planning: Drive the development and execution of subteam-wide strategic plans in collaboration with the Senior Director, outlining clear objectives, donor touchpoints, milestones, and key performance indicators to guide the team toward success.

• Other duties as assigned.

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Quality materials and persuasive decks.

• Administrative systems for team operating effectiveness.

• Project tracking reports.

• Strategic and impactful events.

• High-functioning and activated volunteer/surrogate network.

Required Qualifications

• Exceptional project manager – effectively plans and executes short- and long-term projects.

• Communicates proactively and collaborates effectively with others to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.

• Exceptional communication – written and verbal.

• Previous Salesforce or other fundraising database experience is a plus.

The salary range for this role is between $59,755 and $74,670. 

 

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Learn more/APPLY here!