Unlock Your Potential: Internship Opportunities at Make-A-Wish Foundation
Introduction
Make-A-Wish Foundation offers a unique internship program designed to provide invaluable experience to individuals passionate about making a difference in the lives of children with critical illnesses. These internships offer opportunities to work with highly qualified professionals and strengthen new skills, all while contributing to the organization's mission of bringing hope, strength, and joy to children in need.
General Internship Information
Interns at Make-A-Wish dedicate their time and talents to support the organization's vital work. While all internships are unpaid, academic credit can often be provided for students, depending on the requirements of their educational institution. The program emphasizes project-based learning, encouraging interns to take on meaningful responsibilities and develop practical skills.
Applicant Requirements and Expectations
Successful applicants are reliable, flexible, and detail-oriented, with a strong sense of self-motivation. During the interview process, the organization considers the applicant's educational goals and experience to find the best fit. Intern responsibilities include performing and assisting with projects that directly support the wish process.
Time Commitment and Flexibility
Interns generally serve between 9-12 hours per week. Scheduling, including start/end dates and hours per week, is flexible and negotiated between the candidate and the supervisor during the interview stage of the selection process. This flexibility allows students to balance their internship with their academic commitments. Interns are expected to work between 15 to 20 hours a week during an 12 to 16 week period.
Internship Availability
Internships are available during the Fall, Spring & Summer semesters. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, so interested individuals are encouraged to apply early.
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Desired Skills and Qualifications
Qualified applicants should possess strong written and oral communication skills, a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), and demonstrate maturity and responsibility. All majors are welcome to apply, and applicants who are bilingual in Spanish or Creole are particularly encouraged.
Specific Internship Roles
Make-A-Wish offers a variety of internship roles, each with its own focus and responsibilities. Interns assist in various areas of Make-A-Wish alongside staff and other volunteers.
Wish Programs Intern
The Wish Programs Intern provides assistance to the Volunteer Services program and the Wish department. This role involves various facets of the wish process, contributing to the overall experience for wish families. This entry-level position is responsible for executing the mission of our organization by fulfilling children’s wish experiences, serving primarily as the point of contact for wish families in the onboarding stages of the wish journey. Track progress and enter updates for the assigned caseload within the database management software systems.
Program Services Intern
This individual will assist the Program Services Department in planning and follow-up of wishes for eligible children. Responsibilities include maintaining communication with wish families, communicating with medical professionals, assisting with referral calls, completing file close-outs, and updating the wish database. This role is ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child Life, or related fields.
Medical Outreach and Eligibility Intern
Responsible for developing, strategizing, and overseeing the chapter’s medical outreach and eligibility efforts to ensure all qualified children are referred.
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Marketing Intern
The Marketing Intern assists with marketing and communications efforts, creating and developing content and managing social media for Make-A-Wish.
Event Intern
The Event Intern supports event logistics and marketing communications for Make-A-Wish signature events.
Youth Programs Intern
The Youth Programs Intern assists with Kids for Wish Kids (KFWK) and Wish Makers on Campus (WMOC) programs, creating and updating toolkits and resources for these initiatives.
Development - Fundraising Intern
The Development - Fundraising Intern provides support in all areas related to fundraising and major fundraising programs. General responsibilities include strategic planning to grow programs such as Kids For Wish Kids, Wishes in Flight, Corporate partners, and Workplace giving; research and solicit local companies, schools, clubs and civic organization etc.; cultivate new donors; set up speaking engagements for new donors; form and manage a youth advisory board to grow our Kids for Wish Kids program; and help update and maintain files for donors and events.
Development/National Alliances Intern
The Development/National Alliances Intern provides assistance and support to annual fundraising campaigns. This includes cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and corporate donors to help build relationships with local and national alliances. The intern will play a role in the coordination and implementation of fundraising initiatives, including promotions with national corporate partners. This role offers the opportunity to learn how for-profit corporations partner with nonprofits to further their initiatives. Additionally, there will be some event planning assistance, including an opportunity to participate in and organize logistics for wish celebrations and donor cultivation events. This role will directly participate in the coordination of key national partnership campaigns including Subaru’s Share The Love & Macy’s Thanks For Sharing campaigns. Applicants should have strong organizational and time management skills, excellent customer service skills and be passionate about learning non-profit work. Through a combination of learning experiences, work projects and group collaborations, the intern will gain an understanding of nonprofit fundraising, community outreach and marketing. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Business, Public Relations or Non-profit Management. All majors are welcome to apply.
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Development/Stewardship Intern
The Development/Stewardship Intern provides assistance and support to the Development department with annual fundraising efforts. These include cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual, corporate, and foundation donors. Applicants should have strong organizational and time management skills, excellent customer service skills and be passionate to learn about this aspect of non-profit work . Through a combination of learning experiences, work projects and group collaborations, the intern will gain an understanding of nonprofit fundraising, community outreach and marketing. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Business, Public Relations or Non-profit Management. All majors are welcome to apply.
Brand Advancement Intern
This intern will support the Brand Advancement Team in a variety of areas including story writing/researching, social media, and public relations. Applicants should be self-motivated and have strong communication skills and attention to detail. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Communications, Journalism, or other fields with an emphasis on writing skills. You may be asked to submit a writing sample for further consideration. All majors are welcome to apply.
Special Events Intern
The Special Events Intern supports Make-A-Wish's major special events. The primary responsibilities include assisting with marketing of events, facilitating the donation of high-end auction items and designing and implementing the visual aspects of silent auction displays. The Special Events Intern will also provide general assistance and office support to Development Team, and interact with donors and vendors relating to the events. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Business or related fields. All majors are welcome.
Volunteer Relations Intern
The Volunteer Relations Intern will assist the Volunteer Coordinator in all aspects of the Volunteer Program including but not limited to recruitment and training volunteers, managing volunteer files, processing applications, and communicating with volunteers. Must be comfortable and confident communicating over the phone. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, or other related fields. All majors are welcome.
Benefits of a Make-A-Wish Internship
Through a combination of learning experiences, work projects, and group collaborations, interns gain a comprehensive understanding of nonprofit operations, fundraising, community outreach, and marketing. They develop valuable skills in communication, organization, time management, and customer service.
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