Frank Shankwitz

Frank Shankwitz
Name	Frank Shankwitz
Birth date	August 9, 1943
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Death date	January 24, 2021
Death place	Peoria, Arizona, U.S.
Occupation	Law enforcement officer, nonprofit founder
Known for	Co-founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Frank Shankwitz

Frank Shankwitz was an American law enforcement officer and co-founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, noted for establishing a model for wish-granting charities in the United States and internationally. His early career in Arizona law enforcement and collaborations with civic organizations, hospitals, and civic leaders led to a nonprofit that connected terminally and seriously ill children with community resources, celebrities, corporations, and philanthropic institutions.

Early life and education

Shankwitz was born in Chicago and raised in rural environments before relocating to Arizona, where his formative years intersected with communities in Phoenix, Arizona, Buckeye, Arizona, and Gila River Indian Community. He attended local schools and vocational programs influenced by regional institutions such as Estrella Mountain Community College and interacted with community organizations including Lions Clubs International and Rotary International chapters in Maricopa County. His early exposure to emergency services brought him into contact with medical centers such as Banner Health hospitals and with rescue teams linked to agencies like the Arizona Game and Fish Department and volunteer fire departments.

Career and law enforcement service

Shankwitz began a career in law enforcement that included service with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and work as a motorcycle officer and traffic investigator along state highways and in municipalities including Phoenix, Arizona and Tempe, Arizona. His policing duties connected him with statewide institutions such as the Arizona Highway Patrol and with federal partners like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration on interagency collaborations. He participated in community policing initiatives alongside local law enforcement agencies such as the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and engaged with professional associations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriffs' Association.

During his tenure Shankwitz worked cases that brought him into contact with medical facilities such as St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center (Phoenix), pediatric units at Phoenix Children's Hospital, and emergency medical services coordinated with American Red Cross chapters. His law enforcement career also led to interactions with civic leaders and elected officials from institutions including the Arizona State Legislature and the City of Phoenix municipal government, and to collaboration with nonprofit service providers such as Habitat for Humanity affiliates and veterans' organizations like the American Legion.

Founding of the Make-A-Wish Foundation

An incident involving a critically ill child catalyzed Shankwitz's work with volunteers, medical practitioners, and community groups to grant a wish, prompting formal organization with partners drawn from philanthropic networks such as United Way, corporate sponsors including Valley National Bank and local media outlets like the Arizona Republic. He co-founded the nonprofit that became the Make-A-Wish movement, coordinating with hospitals such as Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, pediatric oncology centers including those at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and national charities such as Ronald McDonald House Charities to develop protocols for wish assessment and fulfillment.

Under his guidance the organization established chapters and partnerships with franchises and corporations, working with entertainment entities including Walt Disney Company, sports franchises like the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns, and music and film professionals represented by unions such as the Screen Actors Guild‑American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The foundation built networks with aviation providers such as American Airlines and logistics firms like UPS to arrange transportation, and with hospitality partners including Hilton Hotels and Marriott International to host families. International affiliates and philanthropic collaborations connected the foundation to organizations across Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia.

Later life, advocacy, and public recognition

After stepping back from daily operations he continued advocacy for pediatric health and philanthropy, speaking at conferences hosted by institutions including Harvard University's philanthropy initiatives, participating in panels organized by The Aspen Institute, and receiving honors from civic bodies such as city councils in Phoenix, Arizona and counties across Arizona. His public recognition included awards and commemorations involving organizations like The Make-A-Wish Foundation (U.S.) chapters, industry groups such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and nonprofit award programs affiliated with universities such as Arizona State University.

Shankwitz engaged with media and cultural institutions, contributing to documentaries and memoir adaptations involving collaborators from Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and production teams linked to film producers. He participated in charitable campaigns alongside celebrities and public figures associated with organizations like Make-A-Wish Foundation ambassadors and philanthropic initiatives connected to Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and sports personalities affiliated with the National Football League and the National Basketball Association.

Personal life and legacy

Shankwitz's personal life included residence in Peoria, Arizona and involvement with faith-based and community institutions such as local Catholic Church parishes and interfaith coalitions. His legacy endures through thousands of grants executed by national and international chapters modeled after the original program, partnerships with medical research institutions including Dana–Farber Cancer Institute and pediatric hospitals such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and through philanthropic frameworks adopted by foundations and charitable trusts including family foundations and corporate giving programs.

His life and work are cited in discussions of charitable innovation by scholars at institutions like Johns Hopkins University, Yale University, and Columbia University and continue to influence nonprofit governance practices promoted by organizations such as Charity Navigator and the National Council of Nonprofits. The Make-A-Wish network remains active across countries and is frequently studied in casework at business schools including Stanford Graduate School of Business and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Category:1943 births Category:2021 deaths Category:People from Arizona Category:American law enforcement officers Category:American nonprofit founders