Spring/Summer:  May-August

Fall/Winter: August -December

*Please note, our needs vary at any given time and internship start/stop dates are flexible 

Credit - Make-A-Wish South Carolina encourages interns to work with their school's Internship Office to seek course credit for internships. 

Internships typically last 10 to 16 weeks as mutually agreed upon by the intern and Make-A-Wish South Carolina. Typical internships are 20 hours per week and will not exceed 40 hours per week. Hours/daily schedule will be determined on a case-by-case basis and agreed on upon acceptance of an internship.  However, intern must be able to commit to at least 2 days a week and a minimum of 5 hours each day.

In order to best serve our community, we require each applicant to complete an online application and submit a resume and cover letter. Upon reviewing your application, we may contact you for next steps.  Please note, our needs vary at any given time and unfortunately not all applicants will be contacted.

Mission Advancement Intern – project description

Title: Mission Advancement Intern

Location: Greenville, SC & Charleston, SC

Reports To: Corporate and Community Engagement Manager

Description: As the Mission Advancement intern, you'll help advance the mission of Make-A-Wish South Carolina by supporting the fundraising staff in all aspects of revenue generation – from special events, fundraising programs, to cultivating individual and corporate donors. This intern will be responsible for auction prospecting and soliciting for special events, assisting with event logistics, conducting prospect research, building campaign assets for corporate partners, writing wish ambassador stories for external use, and planning wish kid-related activities.

One internship is available per semester. Applicants will be selected for an interview based on their cover letter and resume. The ideal intern will be a junior or senior working toward a bachelor’s degree or higher. A minimum of 1 year of professional work experience is helpful. Knowledge of and experience with the Make-A-Wish^® mission and service population is preferred.

Primary Duties Include:

• Working with mission advancement staff on all internal/external events and corporate campaigns
• Assisting mission advancement staff with auction solicitations
• Assisting mission advancement staff with organization and tracking of donor and sponsor information
• Prospect research and analysis
• Writing wish stories for external use
• Assisting with planning of any wish kid-related events
• Assisting with local stewardship of national partners
• Updating the Kids for Wish Kids^® prospect list
• Managing event inventory

Other projects & assignments given on an as-needed basis. Description is not all-inclusive.

Educational Experiences

• Learning the ins and outs of event planning
• Learn how silent and live auctions are built and coordinated for events
• Gain knowledge and understanding around donor cultivation and stewardship
• Learn about nonprofit fundraising best practices and how events connect with other types of fundraisers and programs
• Learn and understand the staff and volunteer roles in nonprofit work
• Increase technology skills with introductory levels of nonprofit software programs

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to professionally communicate, both orally and in writing. Excellent penmanship is a plus.
• Ability to handle constructive feedback and take direction.
• Be able to balance projects in a deadline driven environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and internet research tools required.
• Experience in Canva is a plus.
• Some volunteer experience preferred, although not required.
• Sensitivity to families dealing with a critical illness.
• Be a self-starter who seeks and finds ways to help.
• Have a passion for helping others and belief in the mission of Make-A-Wish.

What We’re Looking For – We are seeking an intern who is committed and understands the importance of all the fine details that make up the big picture. The ideal intern would be eager to use their strong organizational and communications skills to help make our events and fundraising successful so we can further our mission. A mission advancement intern is a person who loves to find ways to help. Above all, we value the ability and willingness to hustle to do things well and do things right. Majoring in event planning and hospitality will be helpful in this position.

Length of Internships - Internships typically last 10 to 16 weeks as mutually agreed upon by the intern and Make-A-Wish South Carolina. Typical internships are 20 hours per week and will not exceed 40 hours per week. Hours/daily schedule will be determined on a case-by-case basis and agreed on upon acceptance of an internship.  However, intern must be able to commit to at least 2 days a week and a minimum of 5 hours each day.

Compensation/Credit – This is an unpaid internship. Make-A-Wish South Carolina encourages students to seek academic credit and will gladly work with intern to complete forms for colleges and universities necessary to qualify. The intern is responsible for pursuing all avenues of securing academic credit.

Background Check – Interns must complete a volunteer application and a background check prior to beginning work.      

Apply Online: http://sc.wish.org/internships