Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Make-A-Wish? Massachusetts and Rhode Island (MAW MA and RI) grants wishes to children with critical illnesses throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The organization reports that it aims to bring hope, strength, and joy into the lives of these children and their families through the wish process.
For the year ended August 31, 2020, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island's program expenses were:
Wish granting |
$2,441,250 |
Program-related support |
$1,683,222 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$4,124,472 |
*2021 compensation, as reported by the charity for the partial year September 2020-April 2021, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: According to the organization’s IRS form 990 for the year ended August 31, 2019, Ms. Charlotte Beatle received compensation of 242,925 during 2018 as Chief Executive Officer.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Television
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island incurred joint costs of $12,018 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $6,009 was allocated to program expenses, and $6,009 was allocated to fund raising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 21% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $6,191,132, 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 Massachusetts and Rhode Island's audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2020.
Source of Funds |
Contributions, net |
$5,066,094 |
Interest income and investment gains, net |
$1,418,898 |
Special events, net |
$977,095 |
Grants |
$147,943 |
Other income |
$9,253 |
Total Income |
$7,619,283 |
- Programs: 61%
- Administrative: 21%
- Fundraising: 18%
Total Income |
$7,619,283 |
Program expenses |
$4,124,472 |
Fundraising expenses |
$1,294,462 |
Administrative expenses |
$1,404,376 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$6,823,310 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$795,973 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$15,262,301 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
Ending Net Assets |
$16,058,274 |
Total Liabilities |
$1,001,314 |
Total Assets |
$17,059,588 |
Note 1: According to MAW MA and RI, during the year ended August 31, 2020, the organization received in-kind contributions of $946,172 including wish-related gifts ($879,602) and legal services ($66,570).
Note 2: In finding that MAW MA RI meets Standard 8, which calls for a minimum of 65% of total expenses being spent on program activities, BBB WGA considered that, although the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 report total expenses of $4,124,472 or 60% of total expenses, program expenses were significantly affected by COVID-19 restrictions. As stated by the charity “On March 10, 2020, in conjunction with the Make-A-Wish America National Medical Advisory Council, Make-A-Wish America issued instructions to pause travel and large gathering wishes until deemed medically safe for our wish children and their families. As of August 31, 2020, with only a few local exceptions, travel wishes were still paused. Over the past three years, travel wishes have been approximately 72% of wishes granted and the number of wishes granted averaged approximately 347. The number of wishes granted during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 was 239.” During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, MAW MA RI spent 73% of total expenses on programs and the organization expects program service ratio to increase above 65% once travel can resume.