Make-a-wish Foundation of America
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America is the largest wish-granting organization in the world, creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been tax-exempt since June 1986. The Foundation supports a network of 58 active chartered chapters across the United States and its territories, with a mission to grant wishes that provide hope and strength to children facing devastating critical illnesses.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$116.7M
+8.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$51.9M
+3.6% YoY
Grant Count
59
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$879K
+3.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Make-A-Wish's core mission is to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. The organization focuses on wish-granting activities that promote the development and handling of resources used to fulfill wishes for children with critical illnesses. In the U.S. and its territories, a wish is granted every 34 minutes.
The Foundation's primary program area is patient services, with activities centered on supporting affiliated 501(c)(3) chapter organizations in the administration of their wish programs.
Grantmaking
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America distributes significant resources to its network of chapters to support wish-granting activities. During the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024, the Foundation distributed $60,421,786 in cash and in-kind support to chapters for wish fulfillment.
Ready to take the next step with Make-a-wish Foundation of America?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Make-A-Wish operates nationally across the United States and its territories through a network of 58 active chartered chapters. The organization maintains its national headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, and coordinates wish-granting activities across all states and U.S. territories.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending August 31, 2024):
- Total Revenues: $130,963,023
- Total Expenses: $125,537,455
- Total Assets: $116,748,112
- Number of Employees: 298
Fiscal Year 2023 (ending August 31, 2023):
- Total Revenues: $135,276,222
- Total Expenses: $125,000,000 (approximate)
- Total Assets: $107,000,000 (approximate)
- Total Liabilities: $36,300,000
The organization maintains a four-star rating with a 96% overall score, reflecting strong accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $116,748,112 | $107,210,146 | $94,735,350 |
| Revenue | $130,963,023 | $135,276,222 | $128,554,773 |
| Expenses | $125,537,455 | $124,505,937 | $114,222,733 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,322,545 | $485,159 | $4,124,559 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mawf Ohio Kentucky and Indiana ($2,701,215), Mawf Illinois ($2,478,851), Mawf Metro New York and Western New York ($2,446,876).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MAWF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $410,717 |
| MAWF ALASKA AND WASHINGTON SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $949,534 |
| MAWF ARIZONA SCOTTSDALE, AZ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,585,339 |
| MAWF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN FLORIDA MAITLAND, FL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,687,146 |
| MAWF CENTRAL AND SOUTH TEXAS AUSTIN, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $846,587 |
| MAWF CENTRAL AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE, NC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $833,485 |
| MAWF CENTRAL COAST AND SOUTHERN CENTRAL VALLEY CAMARILLO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $447,574 |
| MAWF CENTRAL NEW YORK EAST SYRACUSE, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $280,294 |
| MAWF COLORADO GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,663,081 |
| MAWF CONNECTICUT TRUMBULL, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $762,695 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LESLIE MOTTER | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $657,331 |
| THOMAS PARKER | CTO (THRU 4/2024) | 40 | $344,535 |
| AMY BRINDLEY | CCAO (THRU 8/2024) | 40 | $318,327 |
| LUANN BOTT | CRPSO (THRU 8/2024) | 40 | $316,624 |
| TERESA DURAN | CIO (THRU 3/2024) | 40 | $307,665 |
| CATHLEEN PAUGH | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/TREASURER | 40 | $297,806 |
| FRANCES HALL | CHIEF MISSION OFFICER | 40 | $293,158 |
| JANELL HOLAS | CHIEF BRAND ADVANCEMENT OFFICER | 40 | $290,006 |
| TERRI FOULKS | CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER | 40 | $268,882 |
| KAREN WELLS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $249,083 |
| FLORENDA NEWTON | SD, CORPORATE ALLIANCES | 40 | $222,920 |
| BRIAN POWELL | SD, LEADERSHIP & PLANNED GIVING | 40 | $223,517 |
| KRISTIE KIRSCHNER | SD, CH REVENUE SVS (THRU 2/2024) | 40 | $221,255 |
| ADAM FAIRCLOTH | CIFO | 40 | $213,277 |
| YVONNE MOSS | CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER/ SECRETARY | 40 | $196,433 |
| JARED PERRY | CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER | 40 | $179,371 |
| DERRICK HALL | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| GEORGE BARRIOS | CHAIR (THRU 11/2023) | 2 | — |
| REBA DOMINSKI | CHAIR - ELECT | 2 | — |
| AMY WALDRON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CARLOS CATA | DIRECTOR (THRU 11/2023) | 2 | — |
| CHERYL HEINONEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRIS BEARD | DIRECTOR (THRU 11/2023) | 2 | — |
| CONSTANCE WEAVER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DOLF BERLE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DON YAEGER | DIRECTOR (THRU 11/2023) | 2 | — |
| DOUG ECKROTE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAMES WILKINSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOAQUIN HIDALGO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOSH D'AMARO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KERI GOHMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LINDA RUTHERFORD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHELLE WILSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ORLANDO ASHFORD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PHIL COLACO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| REBECCA MESSINA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SCOTT BRAUN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SHARLYN HESLAM | DIRECTOR (THRU 11/2023) | 2 | — |
| SHIRLEY DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| STAN MOSS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| STEVEN IZEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SUNDEEP REDDY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TIERNEY REMICK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America received a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to help support life-changing wishes nationwide.
Make-A-Wish Receives $250,000 Grant from U.S. Bank Foundation to Help SupportThe organization partnered with ESPN for the 18th season of the "My Wish" series, demonstrating ongoing media and corporate partnerships to raise awareness and support for wish-granting activities.
Make-A-Wish and ESPN team up for the 18th season of the "My Wish" seriesValley Children's Hospital invested $100,000 to fund Make-A-Wish experiences for patients.
Valley Children\u2019s Invests $100K to Fund Make-A-Wish ExperiencesContact Information
National Headquarters: 1702 E. Highland Ave, Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ 85016 Phone: 602-279-9474 or 800-722-9474
Planned Giving: Mark Simonson, Director of Planned Giving Phone: 602-385-6881 Email: msimonson@wish.org
Jaclyn Burrola, Specialist, Leadership Gifts & Planned Giving Phone: 602-385-6832 Email: legacy@wish.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Make-a-wish Foundation of America fund?
Make-A-Wish's core mission is to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. The organization focuses on wish-granting activities that promote the development and handling of resources used to fulfill wishes for children with critical illnesses. In the U.S. and its territories, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. The Foundation's primary program area is patient services, with activities centered on supporting affiliated 501(c)(3) chapter organizations in the administration …
How do I apply for a grant from Make-a-wish Foundation of America?
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America distributes significant resources to its network of chapters to support wish-granting activities. During the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024, the Foundation distributed $60,421,786 in cash and in-kind support to chapters for wish fulfillment. The organization makes grants to its affiliated chapters for general support and wish fulfillment. For example, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America provided $1,755,714 in general support to Make-A-Wish Foundation of North…
Where does Make-a-wish Foundation of America make grants?
Make-A-Wish operates nationally across the United States and its territories through a network of 58 active chartered chapters. The organization maintains its national headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, and coordinates wish-granting activities across all states and U.S. territories.
What size grants does Make-a-wish Foundation of America award?
In 2024, Make-a-wish Foundation of America awarded 59 grants totaling $51.9M — an average of about $879K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Make-a-wish Foundation of America's EIN?
Make-a-wish Foundation of America's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-0481941. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Make-a-wish Foundation of America's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Arizona Community Foundation
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,167
Total Given
$65.4M
The Picerne Family Charitable Foundation
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$20.5M
Grants
938
Total Given
$2.3M
Virginia G Piper Charitable Trust
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$429.9M
Grants
483
Total Given
$24.5M
Petsmart Charities Inc
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$90.3M
Grants
448
Total Given
$30.2M
The Sprouts Healthy Communities
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$6.0M
Grants
346
Total Given
$12.9M
Community Foundation for
TUCSON, AZ
Assets
$200.0M
Grants
324
Total Given
$11.9M
Osaic Foundation Inc
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Assets
$83K
Grants
281
Total Given
$1.1M
Dougherty Foundation Inc
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$6.4M
Grants
223
Total Given
$376K
Research Corporation dba Research
TUCSON, AZ
Assets
$241.5M
Grants
165
Total Given
$8.0M
Thunderbirds Charities
PHOENIX, AZ
Assets
$11.3M
Grants
150
Total Given
$11.0M
Colten Cowell Foundation
CHANDLER, AZ
Assets
—
Grants
146
Total Given
$385K
The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Assets
—
Grants
138
Total Given
$47.7M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Make-a-wish Foundation of America on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities