Make-A-Wish Event Planner

Make-A-Wish® Greater Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of children between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18 battling life-threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish® Greater Bay Area was founded in 1984. In its first year, a total of 27 wishes were granted. Now one of the largest chapters nationwide, we have granted more than 10,000 wishes to date. The Greater Bay Area Chapter is headquartered in Oakland and serves 17 counties of Northern California.

Summary:

From time to time we get wishes for a party (birthday, quinceanera, special gathering to commemorate something) and other times we have wishes with an element of a party included in it (book launch, viewing party, vocal performance). Make-A-Wish is looking for professional event planners who can volunteer their time to help with these wishes, working alongside one of our staff wish planners, families, local vendors, and other volunteers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities may include the following:

• Join the Wish Planner for an introductory meeting with the family and wish child to discuss their ideas and vision
• Take the lead in brainstorming and researching venues or other helpful tasks that are delegated from the staff wish planner.
• Work with the wish planner within the confines of the wish budget and policy guidelines to plan the event
• Help secure donated or discounted materials and services, if possible
• Help coordinate with wish planner, volunteers, and local vendors to execute the event on the event day
• Ensure a magical and carefree experience for the wish child and family by channeling all budget and basic logistics through the wish planner

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional event planning experience
• Passion for the mission, vision and wish granting process of Make-A-Wish.

Location:

Make-A-Wish covers 17 counties of Northern California, from as far south as Monterey County to as far as north as the Oregon border, and west of I-5. We are looking for event planners in all the different regions of our territory. Please let us know what your range would be, where you would be willing/able to go to help with party/event wishes.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must complete a criminal background check

Volunteer Commitment:

• This is an ad-hoc volunteer position that will come up from time to time as these wishes are received.