Volunteer

Join a caring community of volunteers who transform lives. Together, we can make countless wishes come true. 

Your time and unique talents are critical to bringing strength and hope to wish kids when they need it the most. In fact, our volunteers are at the heart of every wish experience. 

Make-A-Wish volunteers consider their work impactful and meaningful. And, their efforts are rewarded—not in dollars or cents, but in the incredible difference they make in the lives of our wish kids. Volunteers even have the freedom to choose when and how they would like to help transform lives in our community. 

We understand that you want to volunteer but might not know where your skills and talents best lie. Check out our volunteer opportunities and see where you can best help make wishes come true. 

More than 600 volunteers assist Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida in fulfilling our mission. Volunteers are matched to positions based on ability, interest, and position availability. Consider your skills, goals, and motivation for volunteering when deciding which position best suits your interests. Volunteer opportunities vary by geographic area based on need.  

Volunteer Opportunities 
Wish Granting

You must be at least 21 years old and must reside in our territory year-round. Wish Granters work in teams of two as a liaison between a wish family and Make-A-Wish. They help determine a child’s wish and play an instrumental role in helping to turn the wish into reality. Wish Granters must complete specialized training and continuing education courses, and be able to make 2 or more visits to the family during the course of the wish process. Average time commitment is 10-15 hours per wish over 3-6 months, but can vary with each wish. An interview, references and completion of an in-depth interview is required. 

Special Events

Special Event Volunteers represent Make-A-Wish at fundraising and outreach events. Event activities include, but are not limited to, registration, live and silent auction support, raffle sales, photography and spreading awareness of Make-A-Wish and our mission. Available most often on evenings and weekends, hours vary.

Airport Greet

Airport Greeters meet and welcome wish families at the airport and assist them with baggage and locating arranged transportation. Average time commitment is 2-3 hours, days and times vary.  

 

Internships

Undergraduate and graduate student interns collaborate with non-profit professionals and senior leaders on challenging and purposeful projects in a positive team-based work environment all while helping Make-A-Wish move closer to its vision of granting the wish of every eligible child. Internships are semester-based, between 12 and 15 hours a week during a 10 to 14 week period, and are unpaid. Visit the Employment & Internships section of our website for more information. 

Volunteer FAQs
What are you looking for in a volunteer?

Volunteers must be dedicated, committed, and passionate about children and our mission. It is important that volunteers work well in a team environment.  In addition, our volunteers need to be open-minded and flexible to meet the needs of the families we serve.  Please note that some opportunities, including wish granting, have a minimum age requirement.  

What type of roles do volunteers have with Make-A-Wish?

There are four main types of volunteer opportunities within our chapter: Wish Granting, Special Events, Airport Greets and occasional Office Work.  Additional opportunities may become available on a case-by-case basis. 

What is the time commitment expected of volunteers?

Our volunteers range from working professionals and stay-at-home moms and dads to retirees and college students. Volunteer commitments vary, depending on the volunteer role you decide to pursue. We make every effort to match your availability and level of commitment with the needs of your volunteer assignment. It is unlikely that you will have a regular volunteer time (e.g., every Tuesday from 10-2).  Most volunteer opportunities tend to be project-oriented and it is beneficial to have a flexible schedule to accommodate this commitment.  

I am under the age of 18 - how can I help Make-A-Wish?

Children under 18 can still make a big difference for wish kids through our Kids For Wish Kids® program. To learn more about how you can get involved in this program, click here.   

Are there opportunities for groups to volunteer?

We occasionally have opportunities for groups to volunteer at events (e.g., our 5k Walk for Wishes). If you are interested in volunteering with your co-workers, student group, or community organization, contact us at [email protected] 

Why do I have to undergo a criminal background check?

Make-A-Wish volunteers work directly with our wish families and/or may handle Make-A-Wish resources (including money or donated goods) as they grant wishes or volunteer at fundraising events. For the protection of the wish families and Make-A-Wish itself, we require criminal background checks of staff, board members and volunteers.  All information in the application and any acquired through the background check will remain confidential and is used only for screening and placement purposes. 

Make-A-Wish policy prohibits our chapter from using the services of a volunteer if they have ever been convicted of a crime that victimizes children, is sexual in nature and/or involves violence, fraud or significant theft.  

How do I become a volunteer?

In order to provide wish children and their families with the best experience possible, we require all potential volunteers to go through an approval process before becoming an active Make-A-Wish volunteer.

I have a question not addressed here.  Who can I contact?

Our Volunteer Program Team is happy to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have. Contact us at [email protected]

Becoming a Volunteer

Your Make-A-Wish Journey Starts Here!

At every level of the organization, volunteers are critical to the mission. Get started today and soon you can bring hope and joy to local children with critical illnesses as a Make-A-Wish volunteer. 

Attend a volunteer information session: Attend a webinar to learn about our mission and how you can help to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Fill out our Volunteer Inquiry Form here to learn about upcoming dates.

Fill out an application: After you attend an information session, you will receive an application from one of our staff members.

Complete a background check: Once we receive your application, we will submit a request for a background check. All volunteers are asked to complete a background check once they apply and every three years thereafter.

Welcome! After you complete all of the above items, you will officially be a Make-A-Wish Volunteer! Please note that some roles, like Wish Granting, require additional training.

We look forward to granting wishes along with you!

Wish Granter Resources

CLICK HERE FOR ACCESS to Wish Packet, and important forms, helpful resources and contact information for the Mission Delivery team. **Works in Firefox and Chrome**