Volunteering • Position Descriptions
Steps to Becoming a Volunteer • Volunteer Meeting Locations

Wish Granting
These positions may include interviewing wish children and their families to determine the child's favorite wish; completing necessary paperwork; Serving as a liaison between the wish family and the chapter office; making the wish special & magical for the child. This position requires a four-hour training provided by the Foundation and at least one subsequent observational wishes. Wish Granting Trainings last 4 hours and are held approximately 6 times per year. Wish Grantors must be at least 18 years of age.

Special Events/ Fundraising
These positions may include performing tasks as needed before, during and following a fundraising event. Event tasks may include: manning a ticket booth, addressing invitations, obtaining prizes and donations, setting up food tables, generating event interest, organizing an event in your area.  Volunteers are encouraged to serve on our event committees to ensure successful Make-A-Wish events.  Committee members assist in securing corporate sponsorships, event participation, and items for auction.

Office / Clerical Support
These positions may include helping the chapter office with addressing donor acknowledgements, filing, preparing mailings, marketing support, data entry, answering phones, web page design and other administrative tasks as needed.

Board / Committee Member
These positions govern the entire Foundation. Prerequisites and nominations are required for Board of Directors consideration.

Professional Support
May include legal assistance, graphic design, computer support, HR, fundraising, photography, public speaking or other professional services, as needed.

Click here for a listing of positions currently available.  PLEASE NOTE: At this time we have no open volunteer positions in San Francisco, and limited bilingual needs in Oakland/Alameda, and Central/Eastern Contra Costa County.

Submit a Volunteer Inquiry Form!

Step 1
Review the positions currently available.  Contact the Volunteer Manager at the chapter office to express interest, learn about the open position and RSVP to attend a Volunteer Orientation.

Step 2
Attend a (30-40 minute) Volunteer Orientation Session to become familiar with the Foundation's Volunteer Program, philosophy, needs, policies, procedures and expectations. Once volunteers have decided that that Foundation's program matches their needs, volunteers will be provided with a Volunteer Application and written information on the Foundation. Volunteers will then need to be fingerprinted (a requirement for the State of California) by going to a separate fingerprinting location, such as a police station.

Step 3
Complete and return the Volunteer Application to the chapter office. Upon receipt, the Volunteer Manager or Volunteer Coordinator will contact the volunteer to set up an interview.

Step 4
Participate in a one-on-one interview (usually by phone) with the Volunteer Manager or a Volunteer Coordinator, when applicable. If the interview is mutually satisfactory, the Volunteer Manager will conduct reference checks and await the return of the fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice (DOJ). It could take approximately 2-4 weeks for the DOJ to return the fingerprint clearance.

Step 5
While the fingerprints and application are being processed, volunteers are welcome to participate in any of the monthly meetings or Wish Trainings, referred to in our monthly volunteer newsletter. Volunteers must attend a Wish Training, prior to meeting with wish children and their families.

San Francisco Meeting Location:
Chapter Office
235 Pine Street, 6th Floor
2nd Tuesday of quarterly months (January, April, July, October)
New Volunteer Orientation begins at 6:00 pm (*see note below)
Volunteer Meeting begins at 6:30 pm

East Bay Meeting Location
United Healthcare office
Concord BART station
2nd Monday of quarterly months (January, April, July, October)
New Volunteer Orientation begins at 6:00 pm (*see note below)
Volunteer Meeting begins at 6:30 pm

North Bay Meeting Location
rotating meeting locations
2nd Thursday of quarterly months (January, April, July, October)
New Volunteer Orientation begins at 6:30 pm (*see note below)
Volunteer Meeting begins at 7:00 pm

South Bay Meeting Location
Sunnyvale Fire Station #2
795 E. Arques Ave., Sunnyvale
1st Wednesday of quarterly months (January, April, July, October)
additional meeting scheduled for August 6, 2008
New Volunteer Orientation begins at 6:00 pm (*see note below)
Volunteer Meeting begins at 6:30 pm

Monterey Bay Meeting Location
Holiday Inn Express
1855 Main Street, Watsonville
2nd Wednesday of quarterly months (January, April, July, October)
additional meeting scheduled for August 13, 2008
New Volunteer Orientation begins at 6:30 pm (*see note below)
Volunteer Meeting begins at 7:00 pm

* If you are a new volunteer, you must RSVP to the volunteer manager by email at [email protected] or by phone at (415) 402-2775. Individuals who do not RSVP to confirm their attendence may not be allowed to attend the New Volunteer Orientation.