Federal Advocacy Fellowship

About CCH

Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness (CCH) is a 44-year-old systemic advocacy organization. CCH develops campaigns and initiatives to address the causes of homelessness - lack of affordable housing, lack of access to health care and services, and lack of jobs paying a living wage. We place much emphasis on organizing and developing leaders who have experienced homelessness to become spokespersons and leaders of our various initiatives. CCH does its work in accordance with its organizational values – centering people with lived experience, accountability & honesty, hope & joy, equity, and shared power. We recognize that homelessness is a problem that stems from systemic racism and that biases and prejudices are embedded in the fabric of society, and thus, also permeate organizations like ours. CCH is committed to advancing racial equity in the workplace, through the work of our racial equity committee, and through the campaigns and initiatives we choose.

The Role

The Federal Advocacy Fellow is a new, two-year position that will lead CCH’s federal advocacy efforts in close coordination with CCH’s public policy, community organizing, communications, and Law Project staff. In response to a host of federal budget and policy changes that threaten to eliminate the use of best practices and send thousands of more Illinoisians into homelessness and poverty, CCH is increasing its federal advocacy capacity. This role will ensure CCH is leading solutions grounded in the needs of people with lived experience with homelessness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Internal communication and alignment
• Project manage CCH’s federal response and advocacy work to both support the work of colleagues in their areas of focus and to ensure we are best positioned to respond and advocate at all levels of government and work with impacted people and organizations.
• External coordination
• Coordinate with key nonprofit and government partners in Chicago, Illinois, and DC on advocacy strategy and execution, including, as needed, convening partners and staffing that convening.
• Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials to advance CCH’s federal advocacy strategy.
• Communications
• In close collaboration with CCH’s communications department, support communications needs including, but not limited to, drafting press releases, advocacy alerts, op-eds, and social media messaging.
• Represent CCH with the media as appropriate.
• Policy analysis and research – Interpret and summarize the potential impacts of proposed policy and budget changes.

Qualifications/skills:

• Mid-Level Experience in advocacy, community organizing, public policy, lived experience, or related work.
• Working knowledge of the causes and solutions to homelessness.
• Understanding relevant federal government policies and agencies and their connection to local and state government.
• Ability to think strategically and set priorities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and work to advance racial equity.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity.

Salary Range

$69,963 – 72,963, (salary above the base salary is available if the candidate meets one or more of the following criteria – demonstrated second language proficiency ($1,000), lived experience of homelessness ($1,000), certification in racial equity work ($1,000). In addition, CCH provides excellent benefits; including health and dental, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, four weeks paid vacation, student loan reimbursement, and a sabbatical program.

Application Instructions

Please upload your resume and a cover letter on the application page via link provided.

Please try to upload PDF versions and clearly save each document (example: CBERETTARESUME). If you have any questions, please email hiring@chicagohomeless.org directly and we will get back to you within 24 hours of receiving your email. The hiring team will only look at completed applications.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026, by 5 P.M. CENTRAL.

All employees should be up to date on vaccination series as indicted by the CDC. The currently approved vaccines under this policy are Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. No vaccine shall be designated unless and until it is fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization. Fully vaccinated means at least two weeks after the final shot in the required timing and dosage (one shot for Johnson & Johnson, two shots for Moderna with 28 days between shots, and two shots for Pfizer with 21 days between shots). Prospective employees will be expected to comply with this policy within two months of accepting their offer of employment.

Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength and recognizes and values the intersectional identities that staff members bring to our organization. We are enriched by the diverse experiences, beliefs, and ways of thinking that employees of different backgrounds bring.

People of color and people who have experienced homelessness or poverty are strongly encouraged to apply. Fair consideration is given to all qualified applicants regardless of criminal record. CCH is committed to providing equal employment consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other legally protected status.

CCH provides excellent benefits; including health and dental, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, four weeks paid vacation, student loan reimbursement, and a sabbatical program.

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