The Obama Foundation has officially launched a recruitment drive for its first cohort of “ambassadors,” seeking 100 unpaid volunteers to staff the $850 million Obama Presidential Center (OPC) ahead of its grand opening this June.
The initiative, framed by officials as an extension of former President Barack Obama’s legacy of civic engagement, arrives as the foundation faces renewed scrutiny over its high-level payroll. Tax filings recently analyzed by news outlets, including Fox News Digital, reveal that Foundation CEO and former senior White House advisor Valerie Jarrett received $740,000 in compensation in 2024.
The Volunteer Mandate
The “ambassador” program aims to recruit between 75 and 100 individuals to provide visitor services across the 19.3-acre Jackson Park campus. These volunteers will be tasked with:
- Greeting and directing visitors throughout the 22-story museum tower.
- Providing informational support at the athletic center and the Chicago Public Library branch.
- Representing the Foundation’s “values” both on-site and within the local community.
Foundation officials confirmed these volunteers will complement a staff of approximately 300 full- and part-time paid employees. While the organization has not disclosed the salary range for entry-level paid positions, the volunteer program is expected to scale up as the center matures.
Compensation Disparity and Executive Payroll
The reliance on unpaid labor at a site projected to generate $3.1 billion in regional economic activity has highlighted the significant compensation packages of the Foundation’s leadership.
According to federal tax filings, the Foundation’s total expenditure on salaries and benefits has surged from $18.5 million in 2018 to $43.7 million in 2024. This growth mirrors the organization’s expansion to 337 employees as it nears the completion of the South Side campus.
Key compensation figures for former Obama administration officials now in leadership roles include:
- Valerie Jarrett (CEO): $740,000 annually (2022–2024).
- David Simas (Former CEO): Over $600,000 annually during his 2017–2020 tenure.
- Adewale Adeyemo (Former President): Approximately $540,000 prior to becoming Deputy Treasury Secretary.
Several other senior executives with ties to the Obama White House currently earn between $300,000 and $400,000 per year.
Economic Impact vs. Local Concerns
The Obama Foundation has consistently positioned the OPC as an “economic catalyst” for Chicago’s South Side. Leveraging data from a Deloitte Consulting LLP assessment, the Foundation projects the center will support 5,000 construction jobs and long-term economic growth.
Current progress reports from the Foundation indicate:
- Diverse Contracting: Over 50% of construction contracts awarded to diverse-owned firms.
- Local Hiring: 33% of the construction workforce sourced from South and West Side communities.
- Workforce Development: 798 residents enrolled in pre-apprenticeship programs.
A Legacy of “Civic Life”
In a statement, the Foundation defended the volunteer model, noting it is a standard practice for presidential libraries and cultural institutions nationwide.
“Volunteerism has been central to President Obama’s vision of civic life since his earliest days as a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side,” the Foundation stated. CEO Valerie Jarrett added that the volunteers would be essential in helping the world meet “the best of the city of Chicago.”
The Obama Presidential Center is scheduled to open to the public on June 19, 2026, coinciding with the Juneteenth federal holiday.
