Associate Board Roles and Responsibilities 

Urban Initiatives’ Associate Board is a group of 100+ young professionals who raise funds and awareness to support our work. Urban Initiatives is dedicated to intentionally fostering a climate of purposeful inclusion in our mission, and Associate Board candidates of diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply. We recommend individual members make at least a year commitment to joining the Associate Board and take on the following roles and responsibilities:

1. Participate in quarterly meetings on Thursdays from 6-7:30pm typically at Urban Initiatives’ office in the West Loop - 650 West Lake Street but will sometimes be located off-site at corporate spaces as well.

• September 11, 2025

• November 13, 2025

• March 19, 2026

• June 4, 2026

2. Raise funds and corporate awareness for Urban Initiatives from individuals or corporations. Specifically, participate in our annual crowdsource campaign where you solicit friends and family to support our work in the spring months and aim to engage your company with Urban Initiatives’ mission.

3.  Attend and promote UI fundraising events

• Soccer Ball, January 30, 2026

• Community Play Cup, May 16, 2025

• Corporate Challenge Cup, July 18, 2026

• Bus Campaign, spring 2026

4. Volunteer to support our mission

• Each member is responsible for attending one CPS volunteer event with the UI kids annually

• Ongoing opportunities throughout the year

• Associate Board-specific events

5. Raise awareness about Urban Initiatives, the impact of our programming, the importance of sports-based youth development programming; follow Urban Initiatives on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram), “like” our posts, and when possible create posts to promote Urban Initiatives.

6. Network and socialize with other Associate Board Members and other Urban Initiatives stakeholders attend Happy Hours and other social gatherings to build your Chicago professional network.

Overall, give or get $1,000 to support the organization each fiscal year (August - July) 

• Giving or getting $1 equals $1, includes ticket sales to events

• Volunteering opportunities $100

• Attending quarterly meetings, networking events, and happy hours (social participation)

Our Unity Statement:

We value unity through diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential to our mission. Unity in diversity is the way to break down barriers and more equitably distribute opportunities. We partner with diverse stakeholders who support equity and inclusion to interrupt all forms of oppression. Our work is grounded in 3 core beliefs that are critical to the successful delivery of our mission:

1. We believe diversity makes us stronger and more effective

2. We believe in the dignity of every person

3. We believe all can play a role in supporting a thriving city