This is a bold and ridiculous request.
The Obama Foundation is drawing new attention after announcing plans to recruit dozens of unpaid volunteers to help operate the massive Obama Presidential Center in Chicago—even as top executives at the organization collect large salaries.
According to reports, the foundation is seeking 75 to 100 volunteers, called “ambassadors,” to assist visitors when the long-delayed presidential center officially opens this June.
The volunteers will greet guests, help guide them around the campus, and answer questions about exhibits inside the sprawling complex.
The move has sparked discussion online, particularly after financial disclosures revealed that the foundation’s CEO, longtime Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, has been paid $740,000 annually in recent years.
Volunteers Will Help Run the Obama Presidential Center
The $850 million Obama Presidential Center, located in Chicago’s Jackson Park, is being promoted as a major cultural and tourism destination.
Foundation officials say the volunteers will work alongside roughly 300 full- and part-time employees who will operate the facility once it opens to the public.
The new ambassador program is expected to grow over time as the campus expands its programming and visitor services.
According to the Obama Foundation, the volunteers will help welcome guests, direct visitors across the campus, and share information about the exhibits and attractions.
The complex will include:
- A 22-story museum tower
- An athletic facility
- A Chicago Public Library branch
- Public gathering spaces and educational exhibits
Foundation leaders say the volunteers are an important part of the center’s mission.
In a statement announcing the program, the organization said volunteers will represent the foundation’s values both at the center and in the surrounding community.
High Executive Salaries Draw Attention
While the new ambassador positions will be unpaid, financial disclosures reveal that several senior leaders at the Obama Foundation receive significant compensation.
Federal tax filings show that CEO Valerie Jarrett, one of Barack Obama’s closest advisers, earned $740,000 per year in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Jarrett has led the foundation since 2021 and is overseeing development of the 19.3-acre Obama Presidential Center campus.
Several individuals who previously served in the Obama administration have also received substantial compensation while working at the foundation.
For example:
- David Simas, former Obama White House political director, reportedly earned more than $600,000 annually while leading the foundation between 2017 and 2020.
- Adewale Adeyemo, who later became deputy Treasury secretary under President Joe Biden, earned over $500,000 during his time at the organization.
Tax records also show several additional executives connected to the Obama administration receiving salaries ranging from $300,000 to $400,000 per year.
Obama Foundation Spending Has Increased Significantly
The Obama Foundation has grown rapidly over the past several years.
According to nonprofit filings, the organization’s total salaries and benefits increased from $18.5 million in 2018 to $43.7 million in 2024 as staffing expanded to more than 330 employees.
During the same period, annual revenue rose to nearly $210 million.
The foundation’s headquarters remain in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, where it runs leadership programs and international initiatives tied to former President Barack Obama’s legacy.
Supporters Say the Project Will Boost Chicago’s Economy
Supporters of the Obama Presidential Center say the project could provide major economic benefits for Chicago’s South Side.
The foundation cites an economic study by Deloitte Consulting LLP, which estimates the project could generate $3.1 billion in economic activity over the next decade.
The study also projects roughly 5,000 construction jobs connected to the development of the $850 million campus.
Foundation officials say:
- More than 50% of construction contracts have gone to diverse firms
- 33% of construction workers have come from Chicago’s South and West Side communities
- Nearly 800 residents have enrolled in construction pre-apprenticeship programs tied to the project
Obama Presidential Center Opening Scheduled for Juneteenth
The Obama Presidential Center is currently scheduled to open on Juneteenth, the federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
Jarrett said the center is intended to become a global gathering place highlighting Chicago’s culture and history.
“The Obama Presidential Center will be a place where the world meets the best of the city of Chicago,” Jarrett said in a statement.
In the meantime, the Obama Foundation is continuing its search for volunteers willing to help welcome visitors and support the new landmark when it opens later this year.
