| Mission "We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy." Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors, and entire communities. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 97,000 children worldwide. Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission. A network of more than 25,000 volunteers enable the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fund raisers, special events assistants, and in numerous other capacities. As the Foundation continues to mature, its mission will remain steadfast. Wish children of the past, present, and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish®.
Wish Eligibility Children under the age of 18 with a life-threatening medical condition are potentially eligible for a wish. After a child is referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, the Foundation will contact the child's treating physician to determine if the child is medically eligible for a wish, based on the medical criteria established by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. In addition, a child cannot have received a wish from another wish-granting organization. The Make-A-Wish Foundation accepts referrals for potential wish children from parents or guardians of the child, medical professionals, or the children themselves. If you believe you know a child that might qualify for a wish, please contact your local Make-A-Wish® chapter. The Make-A-Wish Foundation respects the privacy of the children and families it serves. We consider all wish child information confidential and will not discuss the information with outside parties unless it is needed for the wish, and the parents or guardians have consented.
Refer a Child The Make-A-Wish Foundation® accepts wish referrals – which are kept strictly confidential – from one of several potential referral sources: -
The wish child himself or herself -
The child's parents or legal guardians -
A medical professional treating the child -- such as a social worker, child-life specialist, nurse, or doctor If you are not eligible to refer a child, but know of a child who may be eligible for a wish, please have the child's parents or guardians contact their local chapter. If you would like to refer a child for a wish, please use our online wish referral form or contact your local chapter. The Make-A-Wish Foundation keeps all wish referral and wish information strictly confidential. The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not actively solicit wishes. Local Presence The Make-A-Wish Foundation® is the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 77 chapters across the United States and its territories and 27 international affiliates on five continents. Every community in the United States is served by a local Make-A-Wish® chapter. Each chapter serves a particular geographic territory and is responsible for granting wishes, raising funds, securing volunteers, and sharing the Make-A-Wish message in that territory. To find the chapter that serves your community, please visit our Find Us page. The search process is as simple as entering your zip code or city and state. On a national level, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America – based in Phoenix, Arizona – provides operational, financial, training, marketing, and developmental support to the 77 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. Globally, the Make-A-Wish Foundation International serves 27 international affiliates in countries and regions outside the U.S. To learn about the countries served by a Make-A-Wish Foundation International affiliate, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions Who can receive a wish?
The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Children must be referred to the Foundation and determined to be medically eligible for a wish prior to their 18th birthday by their physician. The child's treating physician makes the final determination of whether a child's medical condition qualifies him or her for a wish. Does a child's condition have to be terminal to qualify for a wish?
No. Many of the children who qualify for a wish go on to lead healthy and happy lives. Are there any restrictions on a wish?
Each Make-A-Wish® chapter follows specific policies and guidelines for granting a child's wish. The physician also plays a major role in determining whether the child's condition will permit a particular wish to be coordinated safely. Foundation staff work closely with the wish child's physician to determine the most appropriate time to grant the wish, keeping in mind the child's treatment protocol or other concerns. Does the family have to pay for the wish?
No. All wish expenses are fully covered, including all travel and spending money when appropriate. The Make-A-Wish Foundation's objective is to create a memorable wish experience for both the child and family that is not clouded by financial concerns. How much does granting a wish cost?
The cost associated with coordinating a wish varies depending on the type of wish. Because each wish is so unique, there is no particular average cost of a wish. Does the wish family have to meet income qualifications before a child can receive a wish?
No. Family income is not a consideration in determining whether a child is eligible to receive a wish. What are the most requested wishes?
Most wish requests fall into four major categories: I wish to go
Some Make-A-Wish kids want to travel to their favorite theme park, while others want to visit an exotic beach, go on a cruise, see snow for the first time, or attend a major sporting event or concert. I wish to be
Children search the depths of their imagination when they wish to be someone for a day – a fireman, a police officer, or a model, for instance. I wish to meet
Many want to meet their favorite athlete, recording artist, television personality, movie star, politician, or public figure. I wish to have
Children often wish for a special gift, like a computer, a tree house, a shopping spree, or something that they have coveted for a long time. Do you grant wishes to adults?
No. The Make-A-Wish Foundation only grants wishes to children who have been referred to the organization and determined to be eligible for a wish before their 18th birthday by their physician. However, there are other wish-granting organizations that grant wishes to adults. What are your sources of funding?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America finances its work through individual contributions, corporate donations, foundation grants, planned gifts, and chapter fees and assessments. The Foundation relies on in-kind contributions to lessen the cost of goods and services. Local chapters are funded in much the same way and also rely on special events and in-kind donations. The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not solicit contributions over the phone or door-to-door. Does the Make-A-Wish Foundation telemarket?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not, under any circumstances, engage telemarketers to raise money, despite sometimes being confused with other organizations that do. In fact, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has a nationwide policy against telephone and door-to-door solicitation. There is a number of other sound-alike organizations – some also with "wish" in their names. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has no affiliation with any other wish-granting organization. If you receive a call from someone asking for a donation, ask the caller to send you more information. For more on our policy, check out our telemarketing press release. Can my financial contribution be tax deductible?
Yes. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. As such, financial contributions may be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Please consult with your financial advisor to determine the extent of tax deductibility. The Make-A-Wish Foundation's financial statements are audited by KPMG LLP. For an online edition of the Foundation's most recent annual report, with accompanying financial statements, click here.
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