What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Events Intern position at Make-A-Wish® Illinois?
Every year, nearly 1,200 children in Illinois are newly diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Make-A-Wish Illinois believes that wishes are an important part of the overall care and treatment of these children, and each wish offers the opportunity for a joyous, life-changing experience. This belief guides us in everything we do at Make-A-Wish Illinois, as we are fueled and guided by our values — values that are represented in the inspired people we work with and the life-changing work we do, every day.
Since being founded locally in 1985, Make-A-Wish Illinois has granted more than 17,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish with children in all 102 counties across the state. This is made possible with the support over 1,000 WishMakers and numerous donors and other supporters. A dynamic, professional staff is also essential to delivering high-quality wishes to children.
The Make-A-Wish Illinois Internship Program is a structured 10-week program (June-August) that will provide you with a unique opportunity to see how a renowned nonprofit organization runs from the inside by developing business acumen. The Community Events Intern is responsible for assisting with the administration of Make-A-Wish external fundraising events, including the annual Make-A-Wish Walk for Wishes.
This is an unpaid internship opportunity.
Qualified candidates will be contacted by hiring team to schedule interviews.
Time Commitment: 12-15 hours per week (hybrid work experience), in-office Tuesdays and Thursdays, from early June through early August. It is required to attend our in-office orientation on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must be able to work in a hybrid environment and commute to our downtown Chicago office (we are located in the Central Loop)
- Selected candidates will be asked to participate in a criminal background check
- Must reside in the state of Illinois during the duration of the internship cycle
- Demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment
- Desire to contribute to the mission of Make-A-Wish
Key Responsibilities:
- Events include Walk for Wishes, Kids for Wish Kids®, Wish Makers on Campus®, and all other external events
- Assisting with community outreach and research
- Coordinating event logistics including processing license agreements, conducting outreach calls, event setup and event debriefs
- Creating marketing and stewardship collateral for corporate donor programs, authoring wish stories for fundraising collateral and stewardship frames, and performing other duties as assigned
Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Solid organizational abilities
An internship at Make-A-Wish Illinois provides a unique opportunity to see how a renowned nonprofit organization runs from the inside. In addition to the learning opportunities outlined in the job description, all interns also:
- Sit down with the senior leaders of our organization
- Build working relationships with interns throughout other departments
- Skill-based workshops and projects
- Participate in creating impactful lifelong memories for children with critical illnesses and families
- Opportunity to assist in the creation and execution of wishes
