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. 

Your Make-A-Wish Journey Starts Today  

At every level of the organization, volunteers are critical to our mission. To get started on bringing hope and joy to local children with critical illnesses as a Make-A-Wish volunteer, please review the steps below on our current onboarding process.  

Fill out and submit an application: Our Volunteer Application Cycle is currently closed, please check back January 2024.

Onboarding Steps:

Interview with our Volunteer Manager: After we receive your completed application it will be carefully reviewed by our Volunteer Manager. Based on current openings, we will ask volunteers to have a 1:1 interview who meet the needs of our organization. 

Submit your paperwork: After your interview, you will be asked to complete and successfully pass a criminal background check.  

Welcome! You will begin official volunteer training to become an integral part of delivering our mission forward. 

Please note: Make-A-Wish San Diego volunteer opportunities are designed for adults 18 years of age or older. To be a wish granter volunteer and work with children with life-threatening medical conditions, you must be at least 21 years of age, complete a screening interview, and successfully complete a criminal background check. Individuals under 18 years old are encouraged to check out our Kids For Wish Kids program. 

Wish Granter Volunteer

As a member of a wish team, wish granters* meet with the family, help the wish child determine the wish and act as a liaison between Make-A-Wish staff and the wish family during the wish process. Wish granters must be a minimum of 18 years old. Attendance at an in-depth training session is required.

*Please NOTE, that this role requires signing up for a minimum of two wishes per year
 

 

Office Volunteer

 Assist with miscellaneous projects at the office, including phone calls, wish research, mailings, etc.

Special Events Volunteer

Plan, organize, and implement successful fundraising events by working on event committees, helping out on the event day, and/or participating in the event.

 

Translator/Interpreter Volunteer

Help facilitate wish experiences for non-English-speaking families or assist with translation requests (as needed).