Top corporate volunteer opportunities in Chicago

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.

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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

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Repack food into smaller quantities for distribution.
• Location: 4100 W Ann Lurie Place, Brighton Park, Chicago, IL
• Duration: 3 hours
• Group size: Large (up to 100)
• Causes: Hunger & Homelessness
• Required donation: Yes

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Distribute food to clients or pack food at the pantry’s warehouses.
• Location: Lakeview, West Town, Humboldt Park, and Andersonville, Chicago, IL
• Duration: 4 hours
• Group size: Small (up to 20)
• Causes: Hunger & Homelessness, Mental Health, Education, Poverty Alleviation
• Required donation: Yes
  

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Write cards of encouragement to Ugandan students.
• Location: Virtual
• Duration: 1 hour
• Group size: Large (up to 100)
• Causes: Youth & Education
• Required donation: No

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Pack food backpacks for students.
• Location: In-office; your space
• Duration: 1 hour
• Group size: Medium (up to 50)
• Causes: Hunger & Homelessness, Youth & Education
• Required donation: Yes
  

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Create holiday gifts and cheer for elderly individuals.
• Location: In-office; your space
• Duration: 1 hour
• Group size: Large (up to 100)
• Causes: Hunger & Homelessness, Senior Services
• Required donation: No
  

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Help with school maintenance, tutoring, or special events.
• Location: Various Catholic schools in underserved communities throughout Chicago
• Duration: Flexible
• Group size: Medium (up to 50)
• Causes: Education, Community Service
• Required donation: No

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Mentor college students, help them build professional skills and networks.
• Location: Various universities and colleges in Chicago, including virtual options
• Duration: Flexible
• Group size: Small (up to 20)
• Causes: Education, Youth Development, Career Preparation
• Required donation: No

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Engage with students in community service projects, mentor them in leadership and civic engagement.
• Location: High schools in under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods
• Duration: Flexible
• Group size: Small (up to 20)
• Causes: Education, Community Service, Youth Development
• Required donation: No

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Support survivors through shelter assistance, awareness campaigns, and more.
• Location: Various shelters and community centers in Chicago
• Duration: Flexible
• Group size: Small (up to 20)
• Causes: Domestic Violence, Gender Equality, Immigrant Services
• Required donation: No

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Coach or run alongside young girls, teaching them life skills through running.
• Location: Various schools and parks in Chicago
• Duration: Flexible
• Group size: Small (up to 20)
• Causes: Youth Development, Health & Wellness, Education
• Required donation: No

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Mentor high school students, help with college preparation and leadership development.
• Location: Various high schools and community centers in Chicago
• Duration: Flexible
• Group size: Small (up to 20)
• Causes: Education, College Access, Youth Development
• Required donation: No

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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.
• What volunteers will do: Sort and package donations of clothing, toys, and school supplies.
• Location: The Giving Factory, 4141 W George St, Chicago, IL
• Duration: Flexible
• Group size: Medium (up to 50)
• Causes: Poverty, Child Welfare, Education
• Required donation: No