Volunteer FAQ’s
Do you have volunteer opportunities?
Volunteers are the foundation of our organization. Our chapter has more than 200 volunteers and only a small professional staff. In addition, a volunteer Board of Directors governs the chapter. To reach our goal of granting a wish to every eligible child throughout Oregon and Clark County, Washington, we need your help!
You can volunteer in our office, work on a fundraiser with volunteers in your region, or personally grant wishes to local children in your community. Experienced volunteers and staff members provide training and support for newcomers.
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What roles do volunteers fill?
There are several ways to become involved as a volunteer: become a wish granter, help with fundraising or be a wish consultant.
Wish Granters - Work in teams to help facilitate the wish process from beginning to completion. Work directly with wish children to ascertain a wish, coordinate with staff to plan the wish, seek in-kind goods and services for the wish or enchancements, and throw the fun party to celebrate the hope, strength and joy of wish!
Fundraising - Chair and/or participate on an event planning committee, help out at special events, or represent the Foundation at community events.
Wish Consultants - Work behind-the-scenes to keep operations running at the Oregon chapter office. Administrative volunteers are asked to commit to a regular weekly shift. Duties may include mailings, computer work and other office projects, depending on skill set.
Language Interpreters/Translators – Some wish children and their families request assistance in their native language to understand the process of a wish. We also need help in the office translating documents. Our most common need is for Spanish-speaking volunteers.
To learn more about how to volunteer click here.
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What kind of commitment is required?
Commitment levels vary, depending on your volunteer position. We make every effort as to match your availability and the level of commitment with the needs of your volunteer assignment. It is important work; and we expect a high level of commitment and professionalism from our volunteers. In return, the Make-A-Wish Foundation makes a commitment to our volunteers; we promise to provide quality training and the support and resources needed to do the work we entrust to them.
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What type of trainings do volunteers receive?
All volunteers participate in a basic orientation session. Wish granters require a day-long training on policies and procedures for working with families. Additional trainings are required for assigned volunteer opportunities and annual renewal of volunteer status.
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Are volunteers very involved with the children?
Wish granting offers the highest level of involvement with wish children and their families. Wish granters meet a family at the beginning and end of a wish, but may rely on telephone contacts during the rest of the wish. Our emphasis is on delivering a one-of-a-kind wish experience, rather than on developing ongoing relationships with families or children. Fundraising volunteers and wish consultants have limited or no contact with the families we serve.
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Do you have volunteer positions that aren’t emotionally demanding?
Some people would like to help because they relate to our mission, but would prefer little or no direct involvement with the families. Fundraising volunteers and wish consultants are the most appropriate volunteer roles for this preference. All our volunteer positions contribute equally to our mission, and bring joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions and their families.
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Do I have to live in the Portland area?
No. In fact, some of our greatest volunteer needs are in other parts of our territory. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon serves the entire state of Oregon, as well as Clark County, Washington. In addition to the Portland area, we have volunteer needs in Vancouver, Central Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eugene/Corvallis, Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon and the Coast.
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How do I apply?
To become a volunteer, submit the online volunteer interest form. Once the form has been received, you will be notified of upcoming orientations where you will learn more about the Foundation and volunteer opportunities, as well as receive an application. Please check out our guidelines to become a volunteer before submitting the interest form.
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Why do you complete background checks?
Because we work closely with children, the Make-A-Wish Foundation does a thorough resume check on all volunteer applicants. For applicants 18 years of age or older, we also perform a criminal background check. We are most concerned with any criminal history in regards to child abuse and/or fraud. All information received from these reports will remain confidential and be used only for screening and placement purposes.
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Do you accept volunteers under 21 years old?
Although all wish granters must be 21 years old to work on wishes, a number of other volunteer opportunities exist (mostly for 18 and older, though there are exceptions), including helping at events and working in the Make-A-Wish office.
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