The Community Engagement Coordinator plays a key role in advancing the Make-A-Wish mission by overseeing and managing the Kids for Wish Kids program, including the Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) and its signature events. This position is also responsible for managing the Adopt-A-Wish program, fostering relationships with National Partners, coordinating wish celebrations, and soliciting auction items to support regional fundraising initiatives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kids For Wish Kids & Youth Leadership Committee (YLC): Recruit, interview, and onboard new YLC members annually; coordinate member engagement, and monthly meetings; support and steward students, parents, schools, club leaders, and community organizations involved in Kids for Wish Kids events
Mac and Cheese Challenge: Collaborate to plan and execute the event; solicit attendees, in-kind donations, vendors, and day-of volunteers; provide post-event stewardship for donors and attendees; analyze event performance and implement improvements
Walk For Wishes: Manage the online event platform (EMC site); secure vendors, in-kind donations, and volunteers; conduct outreach to build participation and team engagement
Adopt-A-Wish & Wish Celebrations: Identify eligible wishes for sponsorship and create compelling wish stories; match wishes with donors and maintain accurate Salesforce records; ensure proper donor recognition and stewardship following Adopt-A-Wish procedures; coordinate wish send-offs, deliveries, and reveals; execute memorable experiences for wish families
Auction Coordination (Internal & External Events): Send solicitation letters to past and potential auction donors; follow up on donation offers and ensure timely collection, coordinate donation delivery, packaging, and event preparation; enter and manage auction donations in Salesforce & OneCause; send acknowledgment letters to donors
Volunteers & Interns: Manage and distribute the monthly volunteer newsletter; oversee event volunteer assignments and serve as the on-site contact; recruit, onboard, and steward interns and volunteers; plan and execute volunteer appreciation events and logistics
National Partners: Manage outreach and stewardship for National Partners; create and distribute a monthly National Partner newsletter
Wish Alumni Program: Work with chapter leadership to launch and execute a Wish Alumni Program to maintain contact with wish families after wishes are granted; recruit wish kid speakers for events, meetings, podcasts, and other engagements; coordinate all wish family events
Financial & Administrative: Process and enter donations into batch records; prepare and submit bank deposit paperwork following audit procedures; produce, mail, and track all donor acknowledgment letters; handle mail processing, bank deposits, and donor acknowledgments; maintain event/program-specific binders and execute necessary office mailings
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS: 
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, PowerPoint)
Experience with Salesforce, Sharepoint and OneCause preferred
Familiarity with Canva is a plus
ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS:
Attend regional events and committee meetings as needed; represent Make-A-Wish at community engagements and networking opportunities; attend committee meetings
TO APPLY:
Send resume to Taylor Marini, Regional Director, at tmarini@sfla.wish.org

Internships are available during the Fall, Spring & Summer semesters and applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Interns are expected to work between 15 to 20 hours a week during an 12 to 16 week period. Internships are also available for course credit (contingent upon university approval). All internships are non-paid.  

Qualified applicants will possess strong written and oral communication skills, working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite which includes Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and demonstrate maturity and responsibility. Ability to handle multiple tasks and possess strong organizational skills is also encouraged. 

To apply for an internship in the Ft. Lauderdale office, potential candidates should email a resume and cover letter to: Melanie Holley at mholley@sfla.wish.org or fax (954) 967-2468. No phone calls please. 

To apply for an internship in the Bonita Springs office, potential candidates should email a resume and cover letter to: Renee DePinto at rdepinto@sfla.wish.org or fax (239) 992-2833. No phone calls please. 

To apply for a fall semester internship in the Tampa office, potential candidates should email a resume and cover letter to: Lisa Andrews, Regional Director at landrews@sfla.wish.org. No phone calls please.  
 
To apply for an internship in our Sarasota office, potential candidates should email a resume and cover letter to: Taylor Marini, Regional Director at tmarini@sfla.wish.org. No phone calls please. 

This individual will assist the Program Services Department in planning and follow-up of wishes for eligible children. This intern will maintain communication with wish families, communicate with medical professionals, assist with referral calls, complete file close-outs, and update the wish database. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child Life or related fields. All majors are welcome. Applicants that are bilingual in Spanish or Creole are needed and encouraged to apply. Ft. Lauderdale office only.

The Development - Fundraising Intern will assist in all areas related to fundraising and will support major fundraising programs. General responsibilities include strategic planning to grow programs such as Kids For Wish Kids, Wishes in Flight, Corporate partners, and Workplace giving; research and solicit local companies, schools, clubs and civic organization etc.; cultivate new donors; set up speaking engagements for new donors; form and manage a youth advisory board to grow our Kids for Wish Kids program; and help update and maintain files for donors and events. Ideal for applicants with ease and comfort speaking with others, organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks, proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, working knowledge of social media, excellent writing and communications skills and a positive attitude. Bonita Springs, Sarasota, and Tampa offices only.

The Development/National Alliances Intern will provide assistance and support to annual fundraising campaigns that include, but are not limited to, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individual and corporate donors to help build relationships with our local and national alliances. Intern will play a role in the coordination and implementation of fundraising initiatives including promotions with national corporate partners, and learn how for-profit corporations partner with nonprofits to further their initiatives. Additionally, there will be some event planning assistance, including an opportunity to participate in and organize logistics for wish celebrations and donor cultivation events. This role will directly participate in the coordination of key national partnership campaigns including Subaru’s Share The Love & Macy’s Thanks For Sharing campaigns. Applicants should have strong organizational and time management skills, excellent customer service skills and be passionate about learning non-profit work. Through a combination of learning experiences, work projects and group collaborations, the intern will gain an understanding of nonprofit fundraising, community outreach and marketing. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Business, Public Relations or Non-profit Management. All majors are welcome to apply. Ft. Lauderdale office only.  

The Development/Stewardship Intern will provide assistance and support to the Development department with annual fundraising efforts that include, but are not limited to, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individual, corporate and foundation donors. Responsibilities will include cause-related marketing projects, community outreach, grant research, help in coordinating donor stewardship that includes, but is not limited to, gathering wish story information to share with donors, coordinating donor mailings  etc. - all in an effort to raise funds needed to grant wishes.  
 
Applicants should have strong organizational and time management skills, excellent customer service skills and be passionate to learn about  this aspect of non-profit work . Through a combination of learning experiences, work projects and group collaborations, the intern will gain an understanding of nonprofit fundraising, community outreach and marketing. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Business, Public Relations or Non-profit Management.  All majors are welcome to apply. Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa office only.  

This intern will support the Brand Advancement Team in a variety of areas including story writing/researching, social media, and public relations. During this internship you will learn to work within a team, develop oral and written communication skills, improve problem solving skills through task management, and gain knowledge of a career in the non-profit field.  

Applicants should be self-motivated and have strong communication skills and attention to detail. Experience with social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Google+), web research, and story writing is strongly encouraged. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Communications, Journalism, or other fields with an emphasis on writing skills. You may be asked to submit a writing sample for further consideration. All majors are welcome to apply. Ft. Lauderdale office only.  

The Special Events Intern supports Make-A-Wish's major special events. The primary responsibilities include assisting with marketing of events, facilitating the donation of high-end auction items and designing and implementing the visual aspects of silent auction displays. The Special Events Intern will also provide general assistance and office support to Development Team, and interact with donors and vendors relating to the events. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Business or related fields. All majors are welcome. Available in all offices.

The Volunteer Relations Intern will assist the Volunteer Coordinator in all aspects of the Volunteer Program including but not limited to recruitment and training volunteers, managing volunteer files, processing applications, and communicating with volunteers. Must be comfortable and confident communicating over the phone. Ideal for applicants pursuing a degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, or other related fields. All majors are welcome. Ft. Lauderdale office only.