🔍 Context

Here is a neutral briefing on the story:

The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park is seeking 100 unpaid volunteers to work alongside paid staff at its opening ceremony in June. The recruitment campaign comes after Fox News Digital reported that Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation and former top Obama aide, earned $740,000 in 2024.

According to the foundation, the volunteer program will complement about 300 full- and part-time employees at the center, which is being promoted as a $3.1 billion economic catalyst for Chicago's South Side. The volunteers, known as "ambassadors," will greet and direct visitors around the campus and share information about exhibits.

The Obama Foundation reported nearly $210 million in total revenue in 2024, with total salaries and benefits climbing from $18.5 million in 2018 to $43.7 million in 2024. The foundation's main office is located in Chicago's Hyde Park, where it runs leadership and community programs in the U.S. and abroad.

It has been confirmed that former President George W. Bush will participate in the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, but former President Trump has not been invited. The reason for this decision is unclear.

The center is scheduled to open on Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The foundation's mission includes promoting civic engagement and volunteerism, with volunteers representing its values both onsite and in the community.

Center assessment: The Obama Presidential Center will open in June 2024 with approximately 300 paid staff members and 100 unpaid volunteers.