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. This internship provides candidates first-hand experience with planning and execution of Make-A-Wish Illinois Signature Events. The Signature Events intern assists with internal events throughout the internship cycle. 

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:

• Assisting with silent auction logistics and support with our online bidding system 
• Daily work in applications such as excel, word, power point, etc. 
• Assisting with committee meetings  
• Assisting with donor follow-up 
• Assisting with event research and solicitations 
• Other duties as assigned 

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail 
• Strong people skills 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point 
• Ability to work in a fast paced, collaborative environment 
• Ability to work independently/improvise on the spot 
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework in Business, Non-Profit Management, Events Management, Marketing or Communications 
• Graphic Design experience a plus 

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