Over 200 volunteers from Chicago’s entrepreneurial business and academic communities have lent their expertise as guest speakers, business plan coaches and business plan judges in NFTE classrooms.

There are variety of ways you can volunteer your time:

Classroom Guest Speakers
Serve as a guest speaker in the classroom to speak or teach a lesson about a topic of your expertise.
Time Commitment: 45 minutes to 1 hour per session

Ralph Faison, CEO of Andrew Corps, spoke to a group of NFTE students about his background and career path that led him to run one of the fastest growing companies in IL. He also led a discussion around opportunity recognition as it relates to the technology industry.

Business Plan Coaches
Advise students on their on their Business Plans. Individuals may choose to serve as in-class mentors to individuals or small groups of students working on their business plans or work as coaches during evening group mentoring sessions.
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per session

A team of executives from Fifth Third Bank spent two hours working with NFTE students on their business plans in preparation for a business plan competition.

Note: NFTE will conduct a background check which includes a criminal background check, sexual offender check and verification of S.S. number for identification purposes by CheckPoint Services, Inc. Business Plan Coaches are asked to voluntarily authorize NFTE to procure this report, which is done at no cost to the volunteer.

Business Plan Competition Judges
Serve as a Business Plan Competition Judge with a panel of peers either in a classroom or at city-wide events. Provide helpful feedback and suggestions. Help choose the winners.
Time Commitment: 3 hours per competition

Host a Field Trip to Your Company
Invite a high school class to visit your company to learn about different professions and the challenges and rewards of the workplace.

Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per tour

Jay and Doris Christopher, Co-Founders of the Pampered Chef, host a field trip twice a year at the Pampered Chef Headquarters in Addison, IL. NFTE students complete a lesson plan about the company prior to the visit and then tour the plant and participate in a discussion with the founders.

Be the Focus of a Written Case Study
Be interviewed as the subject of a NFTE Chicago case study. NFTE enhances the classroom experience by providing case studies written about local Chicago companies connect to valuable lessons in our curriculum. Case studies focus on either an entrepreneur or a local company.
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours for interview.

Andre Williams, owner of Kaze Sushi Restaurant in Roscoe Village, worked with NFTE to create a case study around opportunity recognition and market research which he presented to teachers during a professional development seminar. Teachers will use this case study to reinforce these ideas in their classrooms.

Alumni Mentor
Once the students have completed the NFTE program they need advice and guidance from a business professional in order to register and grow their business. Mentors will be paired with a NFTE alum in the classroom or in a workshop capacity.

Time Commitment: varies depending on duration

Note: NFTE will conduct a background check which includes a criminal background check, sexual offender check and verification of S.S. number for identification purposes by CheckPoint Services, Inc. Mentors are asked to voluntarily authorize NFTE to procure this report, which is done at no cost to the volunteer.

Other Opportunities
There are a variety of other ways that you can help NFTE students. If you have a special talent, or would like to work in another capacity than which is listed, contact Allyson Gaston at allysong@nfte.com or 773-938-8703 and we’ll find a space for you!