A wish discovery volunteer may work individually or with another volunteer as a team in the early part of a child's wish journey to establish a meaningful connection through virtual interactions that strengthen a child and family’s support system and empower the child to explore possibilities, discovering a wish that emerges from their likes, interests, and passions. Additional training is required for this role.

Wish celebration volunteers work in pairs, partnering together to establish a meaningful connection with the wish child and family to build hope and anticipation leading up to the child’s wish. Additional training is required for this role.

Lend their time to help with Make-A-Wish events. Event volunteers roll up their sleeves to do a variety of event support that helps raise funds and creates awareness about Make-A-Wish. 

Interact with interested parties at volunteer recruitment and medical outreach events with the intent of recruiting more volunteers or identifying prospective wish children.

Represent Make-A-Wish Illinois at a number of external outreach and fundraising events to share their wish experience. Open to Wish Alumni and their families.

Unites young professionals to support the mission through event-based fundraising and spreading awareness in the community, especially among Generation X and Millennials. 

Assists with fundraising, medical outreach and community relations efforts on behalf of Make-A-Wish Illinois in local communities. Councils include volunteers who are leaders in their respective communities.

Regional Councils are active in the Bloomington, Champaign, Edwardsville, Peoria, Quincy, Rock Island and Springfield areas. For more information reach out to Janet Glavin at [email protected] or Laura Huerta at [email protected].

The Chicago Neighborhood Council focuses on efforts in Chicago's Austin, Little Village, North Lawndale, Pilsen and Hyde Park neighborhoods.  For information, contact Marimar Gutierrez at [email protected].

Works to plan and execute Wish Ball, the signature fundraising event for Make-A-Wish Illinois. Wish Ball is held annually in Chicago. For more information contact Jillian Seguin at [email protected].

Walk For Wishes^® is a fundraiser that celebrates past wishes and raises fund for future wishes. The Walk For Wishes committees serve as the visionaries and implementers for each local event. These leadership roles are very important to us and will work year-round to engage the community in exciting and new ways! There are opportunities to join the Walk for Wishes event committees in downtown Chicago, suburban Chicago, Champaign, Moline, and Rockford. For more information, contact [email protected].

First, you attend an online orientation. After the webinar, you will be sent an application which takes about 15-20 minutes to fill out. You will then  complete a background check. We get the results back in about 5-10 days.

The link to the application will be sent after you attend the volunteer orientation. If you do not receive the link, contact: [email protected].

A member of our talent team will send it to you once you complete the application. The link will expire in 9 days after you receive it, please fill it our as soon as possible. 

Is there a cost to the background check? Yes. The cost of the background check is $25.73 and is charged directly to you by our third-party provider First Advantage. If this cost would be a barrier to your involvement with our chapter, please let us know before completing the form. Due to the nature of our work, all volunteer applicants must complete a criminal background check every three years.

No, you will need to fill out another background check for Make-A-Wish Illinois. We can only transfer the background check if you were a staff member or volunteer at another chapter (and it has not expired). 

Typically, about two weeks total depending on when we receive the background check results.

Although all official volunteers must be 18 years old, there are several other volunteer opportunities including hosting a toy drive or organizing a fundraiser at school through our Kids For Wish Kids program.