Title: Elkhart County Organizing Fellow
Job Location: Elkhart County, IN
Contract Compensation: $48,000 annually, paid monthly
Target Start Date: As soon as possible
About We Make Indiana
We Make Indiana is a growing faith-based community organizing network building grassroots power across northern Indiana. We organize congregations, community leaders, and everyday residents to shape decisions affecting them most, including issues like: housing, democracy, climate, education, mental health, and economic justice.
Our network brings together Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other community partners to develop leaders, strengthen civic participation, and build healthier, more just communities. Our organizing model is rooted in relational meetings, leadership development, public action, and long-term power building.
We believe strongly that:
Power must be shared in our organization and our society;
Leaders are developed, not born; and
Relationships grounded in trust and vulnerability coupled with radical accountability and direct, courageous communication allow for each of us to bring our full, brilliant selves to the table.
We are hiring a Elkhart County Organizing Fellow to build our organizing infrastructure in Elkhart County.
The Opportunity
The Elkhart County Organizing Fellow will build a new organizing base of congregations and community leaders in Elkhart County focused on leadership development, civic participation, housing affordability, and public accountability.
This organizer will play a critical role in helping build grassroots power in the home region of key state legislative leaders connected to housing reform efforts and other issues impacting our families and neighbors.
The organizing fellow will work closely with clergy, volunteers, grassroots leaders, coalition partners, and regional elected officials to launch a durable county-wide organizing chapter. This organizer will report directly to the Lead Organizer.
Core Responsibilities
Base Building and Leadership Development
Conduct one-on-one relational meetings
Invite clergy and lay leaders into organizing work
Build organizing teams inside congregations and community institutions
Train leaders in relational organizing, public action, and grassroots power building
Support leaders to identify local issues and develop campaigns
Public Action and Campaign Development
Organize county-wide public assemblies and leadership gatherings
Support issue campaigns related to housing affordability, democracy, and community well-being
Coordinate constituent engagement with public officials and legislators
Help connect local organizing to statewide legislative strategy
Data & Reporting
Track volunteer and campaign engagement using CRM systems or other tools.
Use data to measure success, adjust strategies
Key Deliverables (2026-2027)
Organizing Infrastructure
Conduct 10-15 one-on-one relational meetings weekly with clergy, lay leaders, and community members
Develop organizing teams in at least 12 congregations
Convene a leadership assembly engaging approximately 50 leaders
Launch and sustain a new county-wide organizing chapter
Public Engagement and Campaigns
Organize a major public action in Spring 2027 engaging residents and state and local elected officials around housing affordability
Support statewide pro-housing organizing efforts and legislative engagement
Mobilize residents for public meetings, actions, and accountability sessions
Qualifications
We are looking for someone who is relational, entrepreneurial, and excited to help build something new.
Strong candidates may have:
Experience in organizing, ministry, education, advocacy, or civic engagement
Strong listening and relationship-building skills
Ability to recruit and develop volunteer leaders
Comfort facilitating meetings and speaking publicly
Strong self-direction and initiative
Commitment to justice, democracy, and community leadership
Cross-cultural competence
Ability to work evenings and weekends as organizing requires
Openness to being coached and a learning posture
While not required, a strong candidate might have some of the following:
Familiarity with Elkhart County
Experience working with congregations or community organizations
Experience with voter engagement or grassroots campaigns
Spanish language skills are a plus
Compensation and benefits
Full-time contract position: This is a full-time contract fellowship role for an initial 12-month term, with the intention of transitioning to a staff position as organizational capacity grows. Initial contract term: June 2026 – 2027, renewable based on funding and organizational priorities.
Compensation: $48,000 plus support package
We also provide a cell phone stipend, a computer at the beginning of employment, and zoom subscription
We also provide a $500/month healthcare stipend
We also provide program expenses to support organizing needs
In addition, WMI will cover expenses for professional development opportunities including statewide and national conferences on organizing skills and national housing advocacy convenings.
Note: Contractors are responsible for their own taxes and health insurance coverage.
Mileage and organizing expenses reimbursed
Most of the work will be based in Elkhart County, with occasional travel to South Bend for trainings and team meetings. Travel to South Bend will be compensated based on miles traveled.
The Application Process
Applicants should fill out this application.
The top applications will be invited to 1:1 meetings with the Executive Director and Lead Organizer.
Finalists will be invited to an interview with a hiring team composed of leaders from the organization, board members, and staff.
We Make Indiana provides equal employment opportunities to all staff, contractor, fellows, and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, criminal history, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the contractor/fellow. The duties, responsibilities, and activities listed here are subject to change based on organizational needs.