Wish Fulfillment Intern
Job Description
Wish of a Lifetime from AARP (WOL) grants wishes to people 65-plus connecting them to their passions in recognition of their special accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices. WOL helps people achieve long-held goals while also combatting the negative effects of isolation and strengthening social ties and intergenerational connections.
Are you a college student who is creative and passionate about making the world a better place? Are you interested in learning about the nonprofit sector and other grassroots movements? Our programming team is looking for you! Our team drives all wish-granting activities for Wish of a Lifetime. Wish of a Lifetime is a part of the AARP family and focuses on fulfilling the lifelong dreams of older adults throughout the United States.
Wish of a Lifetime seeks to change the way society views aging by providing enrichment opportunities for older adults and sharing their stories to inspire those of all ages. If you want to learn from a great team of professionals, apply now for this incredible opportunity!
Interns plan an integral role in Wish of a Lifetime’s Wish Fulfillment Program. As an Intern, you will apply strategic, analytical, and creative thinking to source, plan, and execute wishes for members of our oldest generations.
On any given day, you could be interviewing older adults, learning and writing about their stories, developing budgets, outreaching to 3rd party vendors and service providers, booking travel, soliciting in-kind donations, and carefully planning once-in-a-lifetime wish experiences!
We’ll challenge you to think and work in new ways. We are committed to your growth and will cultivate your continued learning and development. This is a paid internship starting in June 2022, and ending in December 2022.
Responsibilities
On an average day, you will:
Strategize
- Coordinate exceptional wish experiences by developing and leveraging relationships with partners, vendors, service providers, and other contacts integral to the execution of a wish
- Work on and manage a caseload of 3-6 wishes
- Call and interview seniors and nominators about their wish submissions
- Create accurate wish budgets based on the research of transportation/travel rates
- Disseminate information on wish program and wish events
- Schedule wish experiences and coordinate with all interested parties
- Assist with annual fundraising campaigns
Write
- Devise grammatically correct and cohesive wish reports/wish stories based on the interviews
- Write high-level Wish Statements to be shared with internal and external stakeholders
- Accurately write and send out approval/ denial letters and forms to recipients
Organize
- Adhere to Wish Fulfillment Process and organizational policies related to expense approvals, procurement of releases and medical forms, handling of promotional assets, and safeguarding of sensitive information
- Maintain media asset libraries, including wish stories, photographs, and video
- Coordinate and attend send-off events and celebrations when applicable
- Solicit, purchase, or make necessary arrangements for each wish as assigned
- Send out, collect and maintain all relevant documents from wish recipients in the database
Communicate
- Work with staff to post wishes via social media, web, and other avenues
- Assist with inquiries and requests from regional and national media outlets
- Conduct local outreach to inform organizations and individuals about our mission and uncover wishes for deserving seniors in the community
Qualifications
Prospective interns must be currently enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college or university; be considered rising undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or post-doctoral students; and remain academically enrolled throughout the internship. AARP also considers non-traditional interns who are looking to re-enter the workforce or change careers. This may include those who have previously graduated from college and enrolled in a continuing education program.
- Knowledge of the non-profit sector, either through coursework, volunteerism, or employment experience
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to confidently and communicate information verbally and in writing
- The ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with information obtained in daily interactions
- Proficiency in all MS Office programs with an emphasis on MS Word, Excel, and internet research tools
- Some volunteer experience preferred, although not required
Compensation and Benefits
The hourly range is $18 for undergraduates, $21 for graduate students, $28 for Ph.D. candidates. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.