Make-A-Wish Foundation

We are the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Our mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. This important work began not in a large boardroom, but with the heartfelt wish of one young boy. In 1980, a child named Chris Greicius dreamed of becoming a police officer. His community in Arizona came together to make his dream a reality. Law enforcement officers worked together to give him a custom-made uniform, a helmet, and a badge, and he spent a day experiencing the life of an officer. The joy and hope this experience brought to Chris inspired the people involved to do the same for other children. From that single, powerful wish, our organization was officially founded in Phoenix, Arizona, that same year.

The journey of a wish is a special process that we manage with great care. It begins when a child is referred to us, often by a doctor, a parent, or even themselves. Once a child is eligible, our dedicated volunteers, whom we call 'wish granters,' meet with them to discover their one true wish. These wishes are as unique as the children who dream them, but they generally fall into one of four categories. Some children wish to 'go' to a special destination, others wish to 'be' someone for a day, like a firefighter or a singer. Some children wish to 'have' a special item, like a puppy or a playset, and others wish to 'meet' a hero, such as an athlete or an actor. None of this would be possible without the generosity of donors who provide the financial support needed to turn these dreams into reality. We know from experience that a wish provides more than just a fun day; it can have a positive impact on a child's emotional and even physical health.

What began with a single wish in one city quickly grew. The idea of granting wishes resonated with people across the country, and soon, new groups wanted to join our mission. To help organize this growth, Make-A-Wish America was created in 1983, transforming us from a local charity into a national organization. But the desire to bring hope to children knew no borders. Our expansion continued beyond the United States, with our very first international chapter starting in Canada. As more groups formed around the globe, we established Make-A-Wish International in 1993 to support and guide them. Today, our network is a global one, with chapters and affiliates working together in nearly 50 countries to grant wishes to children everywhere.

Our mission continues with the same dedication that inspired our founders. We are committed to our goal of reaching every single child who is eligible for a wish. To date, our global network has granted more than 550,000 wishes, each one a unique story of hope. One powerful example of a wish's impact occurred in 2013, when a young boy's wish to be 'Batkid' transformed San Francisco into Gotham City for a day. Thousands of people came out to participate and cheer him on, showing how a single wish has the power to unite an entire community. This is the heart of our work. We continue to focus on bringing hope, strength, and joy to children and their families when they need it most.