Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses."
Year, State Incorporated:
1983, AZ
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America (MAWFA) grants wishes to children aged 2-1/2 to 17-years-old with life-threatening medical conditions. The organization performs activities which promote the development and handling of resources used to grant the wishes of these children and supports affiliated chapters in the administration of their wish programs. MAWFA reports that it granted wishes to 16,223 children during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023.
For the year ended August 31, 2024, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America's program expenses were:
Program-related support: $74,768,048
Wish granting: $17,406,389
Training and development: $387,344
Public information: $68,206,359
Total Program Expenses: $160,768,140
Chief Executive
Leslie Motter, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$657,331
Chair of the Board
Reba Dominski
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Social Responsibility Officer and President, U.S. Bank Foundation
Board Size
19
Paid Staff Size
223
*2025 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation
MAWFA incurred joint costs of $6,864,557 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $4,703,124 was allocated to fundraising expenses, $2,113,468 was allocated to program expenses, and $47,965 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Fundraising costs were 13% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $179,407,143, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Make-A-Wish Foundation of America's audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $91,256,724 |
| In-kind contributions | $85,115,379 |
| Grants | $3,035,040 |
| Investment income, net | $5,570,830 |
| Chapter assessments | $24,384,705 |
| Other income | $6,136,672 |
| Total Income | $215,499,350 |
Programs: 78% Fundraising: 11% Administrative: 11%
| Total Income | $215,499,350 |
| Total expenses: | $206,773,293 |
| Program expenses | $160,768,140 |
| Fundraising expenses | $23,379,165 |
| Administrative expenses | $22,625,988 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $8,726,057 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $70,956,065 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-294,376 |
| Ending Net Assets | $79,387,746 |
| Total Liabilities | $37,360,366 |
| Total Assets | $116,748,112 |
Note 1: As noted in the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to change in value of split-interest agreements ($35,513) and change in value of swap (-$329,889).
Note 2: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2024, MAWFA received in-kind gifts totaling $85,115,379 in the form of advertising and media ($67,798,738), wish-related travel, goods, and services ($16,885,749), other ($415,892), and professional services ($15,000).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance