Associate Board Member
Opportunity: Associate Board Member
Location: Chicago, IL
Commitment: Flexible
About Unity for Children
Unity for Children was founded to ask one essential question: “Is this the best we could do for a child?”
Our mission is to unite communities, professionals, and systems to prioritize children’s safety, healing, and empowerment. We address gaps across legal, social, and health systems to ensure children are not just a priority—they are the priority.
Vision: A future where healing replaces harm and every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Mission: To cultivate unified systems that heal by transforming how communities, professionals, and institutions support children and families—making healing the norm, not the exception.
Role Overview
Associate Board Members play a critical role in guiding Unity for Children’s strategic development. Members provide expertise, guidance, and advocacy to ensure that systemic change is trauma-informed, child-centered, and healing-focused.
As influential ambassadors of the organization, Associate Board Members actively support fundraising, partnership development, community engagement, and pilot-phase program shaping to ensure the sustainability and long-term impact of the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Ambassadorship
Serve as a visible ambassador for Unity for Children, representing the organization with integrity in the community, with partners, and among potential donors.
Promote awareness of the mission, values, and impact of Unity for Children through personal and professional networks.
Committee Participation & Expectations
Attend at least 75% of monthly meetings either in person or virtually.
Participate actively in at least one committee (e.g., fundraising, governance, program development, community partnerships, communications).
Support committee goals through research, planning, outreach, documentation, or operational support.
Take leadership or ownership of key committee-driven projects or events as needed.
Collaborate with committee members to refine initiatives and ensure all decisions reflect trauma-informed, child-centered values.
Provide transparency and accountability, ensuring committee recommendations align with the mission, vision, and long-term sustainability of Unity for Children.
Report committee progress and insights during board meetings to strengthen integrated strategy.
Fundraising & Development
Give and/or raise a pre-determined amount of funds through event ticket sales or sponsorships, procuring silent auction items, and/or contributions from friends and family.
Support organizational fundraising efforts through donor engagement, event participation, and leveraging personal/professional networks.
Assist in identifying funding sources, including grants, foundations, individual donors, and corporate sponsors.
Participate in fundraising campaigns and events; help plan and execute special fundraising initiatives.
Contribute to donor stewardship and retention efforts.
Strategic Guidance & Program Support
Provides support utilizing professional expertise to help refine organizational policies, programs, and pilot initiatives.
Collaborate with staff and board members to build and strengthen cross-sector partnerships.
Contribute to public awareness and advocacy strategies that elevate the mission of Unity for Children.
Support program evaluation through data-informed feedback and recommendations.
Minimum Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum of 3 years of professional experience. If professional experience is below 3 years, experience in fields such as child welfare, social work, counseling, education, finance, health, law, policy, nonprofit, or fundraising, will be considered..
Demonstrated commitment to the safety, healing, and empowerment of children.
Strong communication, networking, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to support or lead fundraising initiatives, including donor identification and sponsorship outreach.
Collaborative, ethical, and child-centered approach to organizational governance.
Willingness to contribute time, expertise, and leadership to the The Healing First Initiative of Unity for Children.
Background check may be required based on engagement level.
Benefits of Joining
Influence the creation of statewide initiative where healing drives systemic change for children.
Build professional networks with trauma experts, child advocates, and cross-sector leaders.
Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit governance, fundraising, and program development.
Play a foundational role in shaping policies, programs, and pilot initiatives that directly impact children’s safety, healing, and well-being.