Wish Coordinator

Make-A-Wish® Northeastern & Central California; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Vacation

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

Make-A-Wish Northeastern & Central California is seeking a Wish Coordinator to manage a caseload of wishes with empathy and professionalism. You will guide families from discovery through fulfillment, coordinating volunteers, medical teams, and donors to create life-changing experiences.

The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, bilingual English/Spanish preferred, and the ability to navigate sensitive situations in a fast-paced nonprofit setting.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in nonprofit services or related fields.
• Experience in customer service or case management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Empathy and professionalism in sensitive family situations.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Wish Coordination & Family Support: Manage caseload of wishes from determination through fulfillment.
• Conduct discovery visits and facilitate planning for each wish.
• Maintain regular communication with families and ensure timely follow-up.
• Navigate sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Create customized wish plans reflecting each child's interests.
• Wish Logistics & Administration: Coordinate travel, accommodations, experiences and related arrangements.
• Seek and secure in-kind donations and discounts when appropriate.
• Request, collect, and maintain required wish documentation.
• Prepare itineraries and materials; track wish expenses and donations.
• Maintain records in Salesforce and other systems.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Partner with volunteers, medical teams, vendors, and colleagues.
• Collaborate across mission, development, outreach, and finance teams.
• Promote a 'One Team, One Goal' culture; assist with special projects as needed.
• Additional Responsibilities: Comply with policies and travel as required.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Nonprofit experience

Customer service

Case management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Flexibility

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sacramento, CA

Full-Time/Non-Exempt

At Make-A-Wish®, we are more than a great place to work — our work is life-changing. Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Nearly 40 years ago the inspiration for Make-A-Wish began with one little boy's wish to be a police officer. Today, together with our volunteers, donors, staff and supporters, our chapter has granted more than 10,000 life-changing wishes across the 28 counties we serve and transformed countless lives.

The Role

The Wish Coordinator plays a vital role in delivering life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and their families. This position is responsible for managing a caseload of wishes through wish fulfillment, ensuring each family experiences compassionate support, clear communication, and exceptional service throughout their wish journey.

The successful candidate is highly organized, adaptable, and relationship-focused, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The Wish Coordinator works closely with volunteers, medical professionals, donors, vendors, and colleagues to create memorable wish experiences while ensuring responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

What You’ll Do

Wish Coordination & Family Support

• Manage a caseload of wishes from wish determination through wish fulfillment
• Conduct wish discovery visits and facilitate the wish planning process
• Maintain regular communication with families, ensuring timely follow-up and exceptional service
• Navigate sensitive situations with empathy, professionalism, and cultural awareness
• Create customized wish plans that reflect each child's interests and unique circumstances

Wish Logistics & Administration

• Coordinate travel, accommodations, experiences, and other wish-related arrangements
• Seek and secure in-kind donations and discounts when appropriate
• Request, collect, and maintain required wish documentation
• Prepare itineraries and other wish-related materials for families
• Track and reconcile wish expenses and in-kind donations
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in Salesforce and other systems

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Partner with volunteers, medical teams, vendors, and colleagues to support successful wish fulfillment
• Collaborate across mission, volunteer, development, outreach, and finance teams
• Promote a "One Team, One Goal" culture
• Assist with special projects and mission-focused initiatives as needed

Additional Responsibilities

• Comply with chapter policies, procedures, and national performance standards
• Support occasional evening and weekend events as needed
• Travel throughout the chapter territory as required

What You Bring

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish strongly preferred
• 2+ years of experience in nonprofit services, customer service, case management, program coordination, hospitality, healthcare, or a related field preferred
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to navigate sensitive family situations with compassion and professionalism
• Creative problem-solving skills and sound judgment
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment
• Experience working with children and families preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems; Salesforce experience preferred

What We Offer

• Salary range: $57,000–$62,000 annually
• Full-time, non-exempt with comprehensive benefits
• 401(k), vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
• A mission-driven culture where your work truly matters

Join Us

We are more than a great place to work - our work is life-changing. We are fueled and guided by our values, and by the inspired people who bring those values to life every day. We are committed to building an inclusive, welcoming environment where every team member can thrive. We respect and ensure equal opportunity, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.