Volunteer Role: Make-A-Wish Wish Granter!

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we have evolved to be one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 24,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants more than 25 wishes each day throughout the U.S. and its territories.

Position Summary

An in-person or virtual Wish Granter Discovery volunteer will meet with the wish child and family members to help identify the child’s wish ideas while completing any necessary paperwork. In-Person Wish Discovery volunteers work in teams of two alongside Make-A-Wish staff to ensure every eligible child’s wish comes true. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with at least one other wish discovery volunteer to help grant the wishes of children throughout the chapter’s territory. 
• Visit the wish child, with the goal of discerning their wish ideas, while gaining a clear understanding of the reason behind multiple wish ideas.
• Present the wish child and any siblings under 18 living in the household with icebreaker gifts that do not exceed $10 a person.
• Communicate with all stakeholders until a wish is determined.
• Develop a positive rapport with the wish child and family during the initial wish visit as well as any remaining visits necessary to determine wish ideas.

• Complete and submit wish paperwork in a timely manner according to chapter guidelines. This will conclude the role of the discovery volunteer in the wish. (See Description of Wish Granter Celebration Role if interested in continuing with wishes.)

• Maintain a thorough understanding of Make-A-Wish policies and procedures.
• Other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate.

Desired Qualifications

• Passion for children and high comfort level with interacting with children ages 2 ½ to 18.
• Excellent people skills with the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, especially children with critical illnesses.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must be at least 18 and out of high school
• Flexible schedule and willingness to drive up to one hour to visit with wish child.
• Bilingual abilities in written and spoken form a plus.

Location of Opportunity

Meetings may take place at the wish family’s home or at a neutral location, such as a restaurant or hospital. Typically, wish meetings are scheduled for weekday evenings or weekends based upon the schedules of the wish team and wish family.

Volunteer Commitment

The average wish requires between two to four hours of volunteer work over a span of one month. Each visit can vary in the time it takes to complete depending on the wish child and wish family circumstances.

Agree to work on a minimum of 3 wishes per year. 

Complete criminal background check every 3 years (paid by the volunteer) and Conflict of Interest & Ethics Assurance Statement annually.

Complete official Make-A-Wish Wish Discovery Volunteer training.

Attend continuing education courses, as offered by Make-A-Wish chapter staff.

Provide and receive ongoing performance evaluation feedback from chapter staff.

Prioritize health and safety in any interaction with a member of the Make-A-Wish community.

Join Our Team of Inspired People Transforming Lives

We are more than a great place to volunteer - our work is life changing. We are an inclusive and diverse group of people who, through a mosaic of backgrounds, thoughts and experiences are united in purposeful work. We are fueled and guided by our values - values that are represented in the inspired people we work with and the transformational work we do every day.

For immediate consideration, please contact Kelli Robertson, Volunteer Manager, at krobertson@cnfl.wish.org or call at 407-622-4673 x. 228

We respect and ensure equal opportunity, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, perceived disability and other legally protected characteristics.