Democracy Project Fellow

2026 Democracy Project Fellowship

History

The Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project (SSIP) is a proud member of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), a statewide non-profit coalition that advocates for the rights of immigrants and refugees. ICIRR engages in public policy advocacy, community organizing, service coordination, training and technical assistance, public education and outreach and leadership development for immigrants and refugees in Illinois.

Since 2002, ICIRR has led the Democracy Project Fellowship, a nonpartisan Get Out the Vote (GOTV) program that empowers immigrant communities by increasing voter participation across Chicago and surrounding suburbs. For over 8 electoral cycles, SSIP has partnered with ICIRR, as a host organization, to bring this fellowship to the southwest suburbs. SSIP is based in Will County, IL.

Position Summary

The fellowship is a paid, full-time leadership development opportunity for emerging community leaders who are passionate about civic engagement, voter mobilization, grassroots organizing, and strengthening democracy. It will run from Wednesday, August 12, through Friday, November 6. Fellows will work 40 hours per week and earn $1,000 a week stipend, paid biweekly. There will also be a 100$ a month stipend for phone and transportation support in addition.

Each fellow will be placed with an immigrant-serving organization in the Chicagoland area, where they will work with their host organization to carry out local voter engagement efforts. Fellows will receive day-to-day support from their organization, as well as training, mentorship, and ongoing guidance from ICIRR staff. Throughout the fellowship, fellows will develop skills in volunteer recruitment, voter registration, and voter outreach, in relation to successful campaign building. Voter outreach activities include, but are not limited to, door-knocking, phone-banking, community events, tabling, and digital outreach.

Responsibilities

• Engage immigrant and pro voters through nonpartisan voter outreach
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers to expand outreach efforts
• Plan Election Day mobilization efforts, including early voting initiatives
• Build relationships with community organizations and local organizations
• Participate in trainings, team meetings, check-ins, and other leadership development opportunities
• Accurately track outreach activities and report on results
• Conduct voter engagement activities in a strictly nonpartisan (not supporting a particular candidate or party) manner, and carried under non-profit 501(C)(3) guidelines
• Knock doors and phone bank for a minimum of 20 hours a week
• Set up weekly canvasses and phonebanks

Qualifications

This is an entry level opportunity for someone looking to grow in community-based work in the southwest suburbs. Previous experience is not required, however successful candidates will have a deep awareness and/or active participation in social issues that matter to them.

1. Passionate about learning, civic engagement, voting rights, and empowering immigrant communities
2. Not afraid of a fast-paced work environment
3. Ability to learn, adapt and thrive through stress and high-pressure situations
4. Self-motivated, organized, and capable of both independent and team-based work
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills
6. Comfortable engaging community members in-person and virtually
7. Ability to work evenings and weekends for outreach activities-- because fellows will be working with community volunteers and conducting extensive outreach, this will not be a 9-5 job.
8. Access to reliable transportation (valid driver’s license) and willingness to travel locally & regionally

Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. We especially welcome candidates who speak Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, or other languages spoken by Illinois’ immigrant communities.

How to Apply

Please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to ***email_hidden***. The subject line should read 2026 Democracy Project Fellow. In the cover letter, tell us:

1. a little about yourself
2. how you you meet the list of qualifications for this role
3. why you think the elections in November this year are important