At Make-A-Wish^® Illinois, our vision is to grant the wish of every child with an eligible condition. It is our mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Since being founded locally in 1985, Make-A-Wish Illinois has granted more than 19,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish^® with children in all 102 counties across the state. 

Life-changing wish journeys are made possible by dedicated staff and hundreds of caring volunteers who help each child discover, create, fulfill, and experience the lasting impact of their most heartfelt wish. 

Support for Make-A-Wish comes from everyday people through generous gifts of all sizes from individual, corporate and foundation donors.

Make-A-Wish Illinois finances endeavors through corporate sponsorships, special events, foundation grants and individual contributions. However, we do not solicit funds by telephone and receive no federal or state funding. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, all contributions are deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our financial statements are audited locally by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.   

At Make-A-Wish, we take our responsibility for the monies donated to our cause very seriously and are pleased to confirm that according to the fiscal year 2024 (September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025) audit results, the Make-A-Wish Illinois program service expense ratio was 70 percent. 

We are proud to be a BBB Illinois Accredited Charity Seal Holder, having met all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. 

For full financial details please review the following: 

Current Financial Statements

Fiscal Year 2025 Make-A-Wish Illinois Annual Report (PDF)

Fiscal Year 2025 Make-A-Wish Illinois Audited Financial Report (PDF)

2024 Make-A-Wish Illinois Federal Form 990 (PDF)

At Make-A-Wish, we are more than a great place to work — our work is life-changing. We are an inclusive and diverse group of people who, through a mosaic of backgrounds, thought 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 life-changing work we do, every day. 

Staff Openings

There are currently no available staff positions at our chapter.

Internships

FALL 2026

Community Events Intern - Assist with the administration of Make-A-Wish external and internal fundraising events, including the annual Make-A-Wish Walk for Wishes, Penguin Plunge and Golfing For Wishes. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Corporate Giving Intern - Learn how for-profit corporations partner with nonprofits by directly participating in the coordination of key campaigns and assisting with creating materials for these campaigns. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Digital Marketing Intern - Gain hands-on experience in social media marketing and contribute to the growth of Make-A-Wish brand presence online by supporting creation of engaging content. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Donor Relations and Data Entry Intern - Assist the development team with administrative and stewardship projects to ensure that donors feel highly engaged with our mission. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Mission Service Intern - Assist the senior mission services coordinator in providing wish boosts to wish children throughout different stages of their wish journey. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Office Operations Intern - Reporting to the people operations coordinator, assist with tasks related to operational logistics and day-to-day office operations as well as key creative projects. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Volunteer Program Intern - Assist with maintaining accurate volunteer records, supporting process improvement and automation efforts, and contributing to strategic volunteer initiatives led by the operations department. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Wish Creation Intern - Work directly with wish coordinators on the planning and execution of wishes. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Wish Experience Intern - Assist with the onboarding and welcoming of wish families. Work directly with wish coordinators to ensure each family feels supported and informed as they begin their wish journey. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Wish Volunteer Program Intern -  Help maintain wish volunteer records, support wish granter communications, and assist with program initiatives, process improvements, and other strategic projects within the operations department. (Hybrid, Chicago)

Discover the incredible stories of the WishMakers who fuel the Make-A-Wish mission. Tune in every month as we delve into the power of a wish, the unwavering dedication of volunteers, and the transformative experiences that shape lives forever. Beyond the Wish is available on our YouTube channel or wherever you subscribe to podcasts.

Access news releases, background information and recent news about Make-A-Wish and connect with our Communications team.