Make-A-Wish Foundation Reviews

Pros

Large organization that does wonderful work to give children hope during a very emothion period of their lives. Ample opportunity to do a variety of jobs, thus creating the ability for transferable skills.

Cons

Lack of consistancy and communication from chapters to the national office. Would be nice to see additional opportunities for employees in the chapter level to move into national careers.

Advice to Senior Management

Would like to see additional regional positions put into place to assist chapters. This would assist with consistancy with chapters as well as create better opportunities for capacity building and overall business management

Pros

The children and families are amazing. Large amount of training to get you ready for your job. Local staff members are wonderful.

Cons

The national office treats the chapters and the people who work for them like they are numbers. Everything is based off statistics and there is no gray area.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat people well.

Pros

1. Passion of our fellow employees to our mission
2. Seeing the joy of the children we serve when their wishes come true
3. Commitment by our management to improve our efficiency and our ability to grant even more wishes

Cons

Despite the great work we do, it's heartbreaking when we hear about wish kids who pass on. Although some wish kids are able to fully realize full, adult lives. Some don't.

Advice to Senior Management

It's a challenge to become and maintain status as one of the premiere charitable organizations around. We need to continue and try to think "outside of the box" in order to increase awareness of what we do and to allow a bond to grow between the organization and the general population.

Pros

Friendly environment. Nice work area. Parking

Cons

Consistency of repetitive daily activities

Pros

Feel good about your job

Cons

Non-profit does not pay as much as for-profit industry

Pros

Furthering the work of granting wishes to children suffering with life-threatening medical conditions.

Cons

Senior leadership lacks vision and ability to scope out change.

Pros

Working for the MAW Foundation is very rewarding and I loved knowing that I was making a difference in the lives of wish kids everyday through my hard work. It's a small office so it's a pretty tight knit group and everyone works well together. The hours are pretty flexible and most employees do not stay too late into the evening.

Cons

Like many non-profits, the amount of work that employees put in to the Foundation far exceeds the monetary compensation that is received in return. You really have to love what you're doing.

Advice to Senior Management

I think Program Services and Development should be in better communication with each other so that everything runs more smoothly.

Pros

Good organization with good cause

Cons

Non-profits are hard to work at

Advice to Senior Management

Organization.

Pros

Great work environment, amazing and helpful staff. I get to do and see some really neat things since I am making wishes come true, while feeling good about giving back to the community. The smiles on the faces of the families that I work with are enough to keep me coming back each week. I love working at Make-A-Wish!!

Cons

As an intern, there is no pay, which is understandable since it is a non-profit organization, but difficult nonetheless, especially as a "poor college student." Still, I decided to take this internship over a paying one because of the amazing opportunities it affords me. I get to do and see things I would not to get to do and see in other internships. I am never only filing and entering data all day, and I love how hands-on this internship is.

Advice to Senior Management

I cannot imagine a better place to intern than the Greater Los Angeles Chapter! The staff is amazing and does great work, considering how few people handle such a large volume of wishes.

Pros

Had the chance to really take on a lot of tasks and do things I wouldn't be able to do at other internships

Cons

It is unpaid which is expected but you have a lot of responsibilities and it would be nice to receive some small stipend

Advice to Senior Management

Don't ignore the great work the interns and community relations managers are doing outside of Chicago. They are doing so much by themselves.