Why corporate volunteering in Chicago matters
Corporate volunteering boosts company culture and employee engagement. In Denver, there are many ways your team can make a difference. Below are some top volunteer events to fit your goals.
Planning these events takes time—over 30 hours on average—but Percent Pledge makes it easy. We simplify the process, handling everything from group volunteer opportunities to tailored corporate events, so your team can focus on making a difference in Chicago. See how easy corporate volunteering in Chicago can be.
Chicago corporate volunteer events
Repack Food for Chicago’s Hungry
Join a repack session to help break down bulk food items into smaller quantities for distribution to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters across Cook County—perfect for corporate volunteer opportunities in Chicago.
- Nonprofit mission: Greater Chicago Food Depository is Chicago’s food bank, part of a network bringing food, dignity, and hope to Cook County.
- Volunteer activities: Repack food into smaller quantities for distribution.
- Location: 4100 W Ann Lurie Place, Brighton Park, Chicago, IL
- Group size: Large (up to 100)
- Causes: Hunger & Homelessness
Support Food Distribution Across Chicago
Assist with food distribution or packing at one of four locations in Chicago, helping to fight hunger in the community—a great option for group volunteer opportunities in Chicago.
- Nonprofit mission: Nourishing Hope (Formerly Lakeview Pantry) focuses on eliminating hunger and poverty in the community.
- Volunteer activities: Distribute food to clients or pack food at the pantry’s warehouses.
- Location: Lakeview, West Town, Humboldt Park, and Andersonville, Chicago, IL
- Group size: Small (up to 20)
- Causes: Hunger & Homelessness, Mental Health, Education, Poverty Alleviation
Write Cards of Encouragement for Ugandan Youth
Support the education and well-being of Ugandan students by writing them cards of encouragement from your home or office.
- Nonprofit mission: Pangea Education empowers individuals through literacy and education programs, working in both Chicago and Uganda.
- Volunteer activities: Write cards of encouragement to Ugandan students.
- Location: Virtual
- Group size: Large (up to 100)
- Causes: Youth & Education
Pack Food for Chicago Students in Need
Organize a team packing event to prepare food backpacks for students who need meals over the weekend—an impactful corporate volunteering Chicago initiative.
- Nonprofit mission: Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities to provide food for children on weekends.
- Volunteer activities: Pack food backpacks for students.
- Location: In-office; your space
- Group size: Medium (up to 50)
- Causes: Hunger & Homelessness, Youth & Education
Bring Holiday Cheer to the Elderly
Create holiday gifts and cheer for elderly individuals in your community from your office space.
- Nonprofit mission: Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly aims to alleviate loneliness among the elderly in Chicago.
- Volunteer activities: Create holiday gifts and cheer for elderly individuals.
- Location: In-office; your space
- Group size: Large (up to 100)
- Causes: Hunger & Homelessness, Senior Services
Volunteer at Chicago’s Catholic Schools
Spend a day helping with school maintenance, tutoring, or special events at Catholic schools in underserved communities—a meaningful Chicago corporate volunteer opportunity.And I don't think you wanna hear from me wake up
- Nonprofit mission: Big Shoulders Fund supports Catholic schools in Chicago’s neediest neighborhoods.
- Volunteer activities: Help with school maintenance, tutoring, or special events.
- Location: Various Catholic schools in underserved communities throughout Chicago
- Group size: Medium (up to 50)
- Causes: Education, Community Service
Mentor College Students in Chicago
Participate in a professional mentorship program to help college students in Chicago build skills and networks for career success—ideal for corporate volunteer opportunities in Chicago.
- Nonprofit mission: Braven helps underrepresented college students develop skills, confidence, and networks for career success.
- Volunteer activities: Mentor college students, help them build professional skills and networks.
- Location: Various universities and colleges in Chicago, including virtual options
- Group size: Small (up to 20)
- Causes: Education, Youth Development, Career Preparation
Engage High School Students in Service Learning
Join a service learning program to mentor high school students as they engage in community service projects.
- Nonprofit mission: buildOn empowers youth to transform their neighborhoods through service learning.
- Volunteer activities: Engage with students in community service projects, mentor them in leadership and civic engagement.
- Location: High schools in under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods
- Group size: Small (up to 20)
- Causes: Education, Community Service, Youth Development
Support Domestic Violence Survivors
Volunteer to support survivors of domestic violence through shelter assistance and awareness campaigns in Chicago.
- Nonprofit mission: Apna Ghar provides holistic services to end gender violence in immigrant communities.
- Volunteer activities: Support survivors through shelter assistance, awareness campaigns, and more.
- Location: Various shelters and community centers in Chicago
- Group size: Small (up to 20)
- Causes: Domestic Violence, Gender Equality, Immigrant Services
Coach or Run with Chicago Youth
Volunteer as a coach or running buddy for young girls, teaching them life skills through running.
- Nonprofit mission: Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident through a curriculum that integrates running.
- Volunteer activities: Coach or run alongside young girls, teaching them life skills through running.
- Location: Various schools and parks in Chicago
- Group size: Small (up to 20)
- Causes: Youth Development, Health & Wellness, Education
Mentor High School Students for College Prep
Mentor high school students in Chicago, helping them with college preparation and leadership development.
- Nonprofit mission: Minds Matter prepares high-achieving, low-income students for college and beyond.
- Volunteer activities: Mentor high school students, help with college preparation and leadership development.
- Location: Various high schools and community centers in Chicago
- Group size: Small (up to 20)
- Causes: Education, College Access, Youth Development
Volunteer at The Giving Factory
Help sort and package donations of clothing, toys, and school supplies for children in need in Chicago—a great volunteer opportunity in Chicago for teams.
- Nonprofit mission: Cradles to Crayons provides essential items to children from birth through age 12 living in low-income situations.
- Volunteer activities: Sort and package donations of clothing, toys, and school supplies.
- Location: The Giving Factory, 4141 W George St, Chicago, IL
- Group size: Medium (up to 50)
- Causes: Poverty, Child Welfare, Education