Organizational Overview:

Since being founded locally in 1985, Make-A-Wish Illinois has granted more than 17,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish with children in all 102 counties across the state.

A wish can be a gamechanger for a child with a critical illness. This belief guides us in everything we do at Make-A-Wish. It inspires us to grant life-changing wishes for children going through so much.

Life-changing wish journeys are made possible by dedicated staff and volunteers who fulfill the work of our mission, helping children discover, create, fulfill and experience the lasting impact of their most heartfelt wish.

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative individual to join our team as a Digital Marketing Intern. This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in social media marketing and contribute to the growth of our brand presence online. The ideal candidate is passionate about social media, up to date with the latest trends, and possesses strong communication and organizational skills.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Assist in creating engaging and compelling content including video production, graphics, and editing, for social media platforms that ensures brand consistency.
• Provide support for ongoing social media campaigns and upcoming events.
• Support the moderation of Facebook groups by sharing content and actively participating in discussions.
• Contribute to coverage of events and wishes through asset collection and post creation.
• Writing marketing content in several forms. This may involve research and phone or in-person interviews.

Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per week (hybrid work experience), including at least one weekly in-office working day on Thursdays. The cycle runs from September 3rd, 2026, through December 3rd, 2026. Official start date is on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026, with mandatory in-person intern orientation at 9:30am.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good time management and organizational skills
• Understanding of style guides and familiarity with the Associated Press Stylebook 
• Proficiency in Office 365
• Basic photography, photo editing, video editing, and/or graphic design experience 
• Experience using software like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, CapCut, etc.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

Working toward a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field.

Completion of an introductory marketing course.
 

Additional Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled in a college or university academic program
• Must be able to commute to our downtown Chicago office located at 200 W Monroe St, Suite 1801 Chicago, IL 60606 and be onsite weekly on Thursdays
• Minimum age for all internships is 18
• Selected candidates will be asked to participate in a criminal background check

WHEN SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION - Include one of the following by uploading it along with your resume.

Two original social media posts you were solely responsible for creating, OR

Two non-academic writing samples, OR

A portfolio showcasing relevant content creation work 

BENEFITS

An internship at Make-A-Wish Illinois provides a unique opportunity to see how a renowned nonprofit organization runs from the inside. In addition to the learning opportunities outlined in the internship description, interns also have the opportunity to:

• Participate in connection sessions with each member of our executive leadership team
• Participate in skill-building workshops and check-ins lead by Human Resources
• Build working relationships cross-departmentally with staff and fellow interns 
• Contribute to our mission of granting wishes for children with critical illnesses
• Receive recognition from supervisor(s) and staff during cycle closeout celebration