ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Donations Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

HFHNFV

Store Associate

Arlington Heights, IL · On-site

$15.25 - $17.50/hr

The Store Associate helps maintain proper inventory levels on the sales floor by processing donations (furniture, appliances most often) quickly and efficiently, ensure the safety and "shopability ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDonations Associate JobsDonations Associate Jobs in Illinois

Donations Associate information

What does a donations associate do?

A Donations Associate is responsible for receiving, sorting, and processing donated items for an organization, such as a charity, thrift store, or nonprofit. They ensure donations meet quality standards, organize merchandise, and may assist with inventory management. Donations Associates often interact with donors, provide excellent customer service, and help maintain a clean and organized donation area. Their work supports the organization's mission by maximizing the value and impact of donated goods.

What are some common challenges donations associates face when managing incoming contributions?

Donations Associates often encounter challenges such as handling high volumes of incoming items, accurately sorting and categorizing donations, and ensuring quality standards are met. Additionally, coordinating with volunteers and team members to maintain an organized workflow can be demanding, especially during peak donation periods. Staying efficient while providing excellent donor service and adhering to organizational protocols is key to success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a donations associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Donations Associate, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in customer service or retail environments, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory tracking software, and basic cash handling procedures is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, teamwork, and a positive attitude help build rapport with donors and colleagues. These abilities ensure efficient donation processing, excellent donor experiences, and smooth store operations.

What is the difference between Donations Associate vs Fundraising Coordinator?

AspectDonations AssociateFundraising Coordinator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer associate degreeBachelor's degree often preferred; related experience valued
Work EnvironmentNonprofit offices, events, online platformsNonprofit organizations, event venues, community settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in nonprofit and charitable sectors for donation processingUsed for planning and executing fundraising campaigns
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding role responsibilities and requirementsLooking to differentiate roles in fundraising efforts

While both roles support nonprofit fundraising efforts, a Donations Associate primarily handles donation processing and donor data, whereas a Fundraising Coordinator plans and manages fundraising campaigns. The two roles often work together but focus on different aspects of the donation cycle.

What are the most commonly searched types of Donations jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Donations jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Donations Associate jobs in Illinois?

For Donations Associate jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Donations Associate jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Donations Associate jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Donations Associate jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Donations Associate job openings:

Donations Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Donations Associate job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 55% Full Time, 38% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

ReStore Associate

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CHICAGO

Chicago, IL • On-site

$17.05/hr

Part-time

Posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Screen and receive incoming donations, ensuring items are in good condition and properly processed.

  • Clean, organize, and prepare donated furniture and home improvement products for sale, including detailing and testing items.

  • Operate the cash register and assist customers with purchases, providing customer service support.

Job description

Position Summary: The ReStore Associate is a cross functional part-time position working as a front-line associate with both donors and customers of Habitat for Humanity Chicago ReStore. Weekly duties will primarily consist of screening and receiving incoming donations (both at the loading door and via scheduled truck collections), detailing furniture and processing home improvement product, moving merchandise to the floor, loading customer purchases, cleaning the facility, helping customers and operating the cash register.  
 
This position requires significant strength and labor. The ideal candidate can safely lift and position up to 50 pounds. The job entails bending, kneeling and reaching, often in awkward or tiring positions.  This role is in a fast-paced environment and requires adaptability, multi-tasking and ability to engage with the public.  At all times, this position requires attention to safety, efficiency, teamwork and customer service. 
Key Responsibility: Loading (45-55%)  
  • Screening incoming donations at the loading door to ensure receipt of product in good condition and in line with guidance for acceptable items. 
  • Safely and efficiently transferring donations to appropriate area for processing. demonstrates responsibility for items entering and exiting the ReStore dock.  
  • Detail, clean and organize donations to ready for pricing. 
  • Move processed merchandise to the floor for sale and help with floor staging. 
  • Transfer designated sold items to the sold bay and safely load them into customer vehicles. 
  • As needed, provide coverage support on the ReStore truck to pick-up off-site donations, and unload the truck back at the store. 
  • Ensure safety standards are always met in receiving and processing.  
  • Assist and coordinate ReStore volunteers helping with loading duties.  
  • Other duties as assigned by the Store Manager or Assistant Managers 
Key Responsibility: Processing (20-30%)  
  • Dust, clean and detail donated furniture to present quality product to customers 
  • Clean, process and test home improvement products (appliances, lighting, plumbing) 
  • Help organize, price and merchandise building materials 
  • Assist and coordinate ReStore volunteers helping with processing duties. 
Key Responsibility: Providing Customer Service Support (20-30%) 
  • Perform retail sales duties as required including but not limited to operating the cash register at the point of sale. 
  • Be familiar with ReStore’s products and procedures to respond to customer inquiries and graciously provide customer service. 
  • Be familiar with ReStore’s mission supporting the programs of Habitat Chicago.  
Key Responsibility: Facility Maintenance (5-10%)  
  • Help maintain a clean, organized, and sustainable working environment which attracts, retains, develops and motivates staff and volunteers.  
  • As needed, empty trash and recycling bins, sweep floors, address spot clean-ups requiring urgent attention.  
Key Responsibility: Teamwork (All Times) 
  • Maintain a “team first” outlook, supporting the success of the team and the mission in attitude, ideas, and actions; lead by example and with active, creative input for growing and improving the organization 
  • Contribute enthusiastically to all organizational events, helping as necessary with set up/take down, management, networking, various tasks, etc. 
  • Engage with all members of the team, program participants, and core volunteers. 
Position Details  
  • Hours: Part-time, approximately 18- 24 hours per week, may include working weekends 
  • Environment: The Habitat Chicago ReStore is located at 6057 S. Western in Chicago. It is accessible by car or by public transit.  
  • Conditions: Ability to safely lift and position up to 50 pounds. The job entails bending, kneeling and reaching, often in awkward or tiring positions. 100% of the time is fast-paced environment engaging donors, inspecting and auditing donations, and processing them to their assigned locations  
  • Compensation: $17.05
  • FLSA Status: This position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The incumbent is eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time according to HFH Chicago policy. Further, the employee must submit timesheets that accurately reflect all hours worked. 
  • Training: The position will begin with an onboarding period to become familiar with the organization's work and policies; the new hire will be trained on the specifics of the role through a combination of in-person, online and written training and will be expected to take the initiative to review materials as needed and seek understanding of new developments in order to perform her/his responsibilities.