Make-A-Wish Foundation

Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses, such as Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Cystic Fibrosis, between the ages of 2 and a half and 18, in the United States and its territories, as well as in over 50 countries around the world, including Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany. The organization was founded in 1980 by Frank Shankwitz, a former Arizona Highway Patrol officer, and has since become one of the largest and most well-known wish-granting organizations in the world, with the support of Disney, Microsoft, and American Airlines. The foundation has granted over 450,000 wishes worldwide, with the help of Volunteers of America, Habitat for Humanity, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The organization has also partnered with National Football League teams, such as the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers, to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses.

● History

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980, after Frank Shankwitz and his colleagues at the Arizona Highway Patrol helped grant the wish of a 7-year-old boy named Chris Greicius, who was suffering from Leukemia, to become a police officer for a day, with the help of John McCain and Barry Goldwater. This experience inspired Shankwitz to start the organization, which was initially called the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona, and later became a national organization, with the support of Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan. The organization has since grown to become one of the largest and most well-known wish-granting organizations in the world, with the help of Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. The foundation has also been supported by Elton John, Madonna, and Michael Jackson, who have all granted wishes to children with critical illnesses. Other notable supporters include Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates, who have all donated to the organization.

● Mission_and_Operations

The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses, in order to provide them with hope, strength, and joy, with the help of Children's Miracle Network and Starlight Children's Foundation. The organization operates in the United States and its territories, as well as in over 50 countries around the world, including France, Japan, and Brazil. The foundation has a network of over 40,000 volunteers, including Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Denzel Washington, who help to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses. The organization also partners with other organizations, such as American Red Cross and Salvation Army, to provide support to children and families in need. The foundation has also worked with NASA to grant wishes to children who are interested in space exploration, and with National Geographic to grant wishes to children who are interested in wildlife conservation.

● Wish_Granting_Process

The wish-granting process typically begins when a child between the ages of 2 and a half and 18 is referred to the organization by a Doctor, Social Worker, or other healthcare professional, such as Dr. Sanjay Gupta or Dr. Mehmet Oz. The child's wish is then evaluated by the organization to determine whether it is medically and logistically possible, with the help of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization. If the wish is approved, the organization works with the child and their family to plan and coordinate the wish, which can range from meeting a favorite celebrity, such as Taylor Swift or Kanye West, to going on a dream vacation to a place like Disney World or Hawaii. The organization has also granted wishes to children who want to meet their favorite athletes, such as LeBron James or Serena Williams. Other notable wishes include meeting Pope Francis or Queen Elizabeth II.

● Organization_and_Finance

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is funded by donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, including Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Ford Foundation. The organization has a budget of over $400 million, which is used to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses, as well as to support the organization's operations and administration, with the help of Deloitte and Ernst & Young. The foundation has a network of over 200 chapters across the United States and around the world, including New York City, Los Angeles, and London. The organization is governed by a board of directors, which includes Richard Davis (executive) and David Williams (philanthropist), and is led by a president and CEO, who is responsible for overseeing the organization's operations and strategy, with the help of Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business.

● Impact_and_Criticisms

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has had a significant impact on the lives of children with critical illnesses, providing them with hope, strength, and joy during a difficult time, with the help of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The organization has also been recognized for its innovative approach to wish-granting, which has inspired other organizations to follow in its footsteps, including Starlight Children's Foundation and Children's Miracle Network. However, the organization has also faced criticisms, including concerns about the cost and complexity of granting wishes, as well as the potential impact on the children and families who are not selected to receive a wish, with the help of American Cancer Society and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The organization has responded to these criticisms by implementing new strategies and programs, such as the "Wish Enhancement" program, which provides additional support to children and families during the wish-granting process, with the help of Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic.

● Notable_Wishes_and_Partnerships

The Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted many notable wishes over the years, including wishes to meet celebrities such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Lady Gaga, as well as wishes to attend events such as the Super Bowl and the Oscars. The organization has also partnered with other organizations, such as Disney, Microsoft, and American Airlines, to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses, with the help of Google and Facebook. Other notable partnerships include the organization's work with National Football League teams, such as the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers, to grant wishes to children who are interested in football, and its work with NASA to grant wishes to children who are interested in space exploration. The organization has also worked with United Nations to grant wishes to children who are affected by conflict and disaster, and with Red Cross to grant wishes to children who are affected by natural disasters. The foundation has also partnered with World Wildlife Fund to grant wishes to children who are interested in wildlife conservation, and with Sierra Club to grant wishes to children who are interested in environmental conservation.

Category:Non-profit organizations