Make-A-Wish International
Make-A-Wish International coordinates the world's largest wish-granting organization, facilitating life-changing wishes for children aged 3-17 with critical illnesses across nearly 50 countries through independently incorporated affiliates funded by donations, corporate partnerships, and planned giving.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Make-A-Wish International does
Make-A-Wish International is the global coordinating entity for the world's largest wish-granting organization, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity with operational headquarters in Hilversum, Netherlands and a US/legal office in Phoenix, Arizona. The organization traces its origin to the first wish granted to a 7-year-old boy in 1980 and has since facilitated over 650,000 wishes for children aged 3-17 with critical illnesses across a network of nearly 50 independently incorporated country affiliates and licensed territories spanning six continents. It granted over 33,000 wishes in the past year, identifies approximately 10,000 children currently waiting for wishes globally, and operates with more than 80% of funds raised directed to mission fulfillment (2022).
The core service is the Wish Journey, a structured process through which children with progressive, degenerative, or malignant conditions (including oncology, cardiology, neurology, and pulmonology diagnoses) are referred by medical professionals, caregivers, or families and matched with a tailored wish experience. Wish fulfillment is delivered through strategic partnerships with major brands, most notably Disney (45+ years, 175,000+ wishes granted, one wish per hour), Formula 1 (since June 2023, 165+ F1-related wishes), Fairmont, Uber (LATAM ride codes), Porsche, Booking.com, Royal Caribbean, Club Med, easyJet, and WWE. Supporting fundraising programs include Regular Giving (monthly donations via PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, SEPA, iDEAL), Crypto Donations (70+ cryptocurrencies via The Giving Block), Planned Giving (bequests, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities), Stream for Wishes (charity streaming including Jingle Jam), Leaders for Wishes (philanthropy giving circle targeting $2.5M by 2030), Infinite Wishes (a gaming industry initiative), and Corporate Support programs with integrated customer donations and employee fundraising.
The organization is funded entirely through donations from individuals, corporations, and private/foundation grants, with no venture capital or equity backing. It holds a four-star Charity Navigator rating, Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, Great Place To Work certification (2025), and the 2025 Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization is pursuing a strategic goal of doubling wishes granted by 2030, supported by evidence-based research including a Global Theory of Change study published in the peer-reviewed journal Children and Prevalence and Incidence research conducted with IHME at the University of Washington.
Make-A-Wish International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Make-A-Wish International
- Legal name
- Make-A-Wish Foundation International
- Website
- https://worldwish.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Make-A-Wish International coordinates the world's largest wish-granting organization, facilitating life-changing wishes for children aged 3-17 with critical illnesses across nearly 50 countries through independently incorporated affiliates funded by donations, corporate partnerships, and planned giving.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Make-A-Wish International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Wish-Granting Charity Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
Keywords
Where Make-A-Wish International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Make-A-Wish International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time donations, monthly recurring gifts, and cryptocurrency donations. The organization accepts over 70 types of cryptocurrency.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners support through cause-related marketing, integrated customer donations, employee fundraising, gift in kind, and event sponsorship.
- Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and gifts of appreciated assets provide long-term funding.
- Charity Streaming: Content creators raise funds through streaming events like Jingle Jam, Women for Wishes, Drive for Wishes, and Roll for Wishes.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Make-A-Wish International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Make-A-Wish International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that grants life-changing wishes to children aged 3-17 diagnosed with critical illnesses. The organization delivers the wish-granting service at no cost to families through a global network of nearly 50 country affiliates, supported by individual donations, corporate partnerships, planned giving, charity streaming events, and cause-related marketing programs.
Product overview
Make-A-Wish International is the world's leading children's wish-granting organization, operating as a nonprofit charity rather than a commercial product company. The organization offers a unified wish-granting service centered on granting life-changing wishes to children ages 3-17 with critical illnesses, delivered through the Wish Journey process. Supporting the core wish-granting mission are multiple giving and fundraising programs including Regular Giving (monthly donations), Crypto Donations, Stream for Wishes (charity streaming), Planned Giving (legacy donations), Leaders for Wishes (philanthropy giving circle), and Corporate Support (B2B partnerships). The organization also conducts evidence-based research through its Theory of Change and Prevalence & Incidence Research programs. Strategic partnerships with major brands like Disney, Formula 1, Fairmont, and Uber enable diverse wish experiences. The Infinite Wishes initiative specifically engages the gaming industry. No commercial software products or technology platforms are offered for external use.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WishMakers: Term used to describe donors, volunteers, and partners who help grant life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
- Infinite Wishes
- Infinite Wishes Games Industry Advisory Committee
- Leaders for Wishes
Products and services
- Wish-Granting Service
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% of wish children and parents said the wish experience brought joy and happiness
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Make-A-Wish International
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Make-A-Wish International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Make-A-Wish International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and standard.
- UbercoreTransportation partnership providing promotional ride codes for families and staff in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru. Enables Make-A-Wish affiliates and volunteers to access transportation through the Uber app, supporting wish experiences and medical appointments.
- Formula 1flagshipOfficial 'charity supported by Formula 1' since June 2023. Enabled 165+ F1-related wishes in two years, including attending Grands Prix, meeting drivers, and behind-the-scenes experiences. CEO Luciano Manzo and F1 President Stefano Domenicali met to discuss continued collaboration.
- DisneyflagshipLong-standing partnership spanning over 45 years, with Disney being the world's largest wish granter for Make-A-Wish, granting a wish every hour. Disney supports theme park vacations, cruises, film/TV set visits, talent meet and greets, and more. Over 175,000 wishes granted through this partnership.
- PorschemajorGlobal partner helping create unforgettable wish experiences for children with critical illnesses.
- Booking.commajorCorporate partner supporting wish travel experiences and accommodations.
- Robert HalfmajorEmployee fundraising partnership with over 2,800 employees across 19 countries participating in global fundraising events since 2021.
- Royal CaribbeanmajorCruise partner providing wish experiences for children and families.
- Claire'sstandardCause-related marketing through product sales and ear-piercing kits supporting Make-A-Wish globally.
- Club Med FoundationmajorFoundation partner supporting wish experiences at Club Med resorts worldwide.
- easyJetmajorProvided flight vouchers and crew support in 2024, enriching wish experiences for families across its network.
- FairmontflagshipProud global partner helping make special happen through unforgettable experiences at Fairmont hotels and resorts. Programs include Bake-A-Wish culinary experiences, hotel stays, and wish activation through the Wish Champion program for hotel staff.
- RevolutmajorIn-app donations available to Revolut users in 45 countries since 2023, enabling easy charitable giving.
- WWEmajorProfessional wrestling entertainment partner supporting wish experiences and meet-and-greets.
- Jingle JamcoreCharity partner for the annual gaming community fundraiser, uniting world's best games, creators and communities to raise funds for wishes.
- Infinite Wishes Games Industry PartnerscoreGaming industry initiative including inaugural members: Raptor PR, PlaySafe ID, 2TG Entertainment, Eneba, Gamers at Heart (IGG), and New Blood Interactive. Advisory committee includes leaders from Bandai Namco, Bethesda, 2K, Square Enix, and Beyond the Wall Consulting.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Make-A-Wish International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Leading pediatric treatment and research hospital covering costs for children with cancer and other critical illnesses. Comparable in critical-illness pediatric focus and donor-driven funding model, but operates clinical research and treatment rather than wish experiences.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities: Global nonprofit supporting families of seriously ill children with housing, meals, and care services near hospitals. Comparable in serving families of critically ill children and in hospital-anchored operations, but focused on family logistics rather than wish-granting.
- Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: U.S./Canada-focused nonprofit raising funds for children's hospitals, with deep pediatric hospital partnerships and cause-marketing programs. Comparable in target beneficiary and corporate fundraising motion, though focused on hospital funding rather than individual wishes.
Direct peers
- Make-A-Wish America: U.S. affiliate of Make-A-Wish International and the largest single wish-granting entity within the global network. Operates with the same mission, brand, and wish journey framework for children with critical illnesses, making it the most directly comparable peer.
- Starlight Children's Foundation: Grants wishes and delivers entertainment, social, and distraction programs to hospitalized children with critical illnesses in the U.S. Direct overlap in mission (wishes for critically ill kids), beneficiary age range, and hospital-based referral funnel.
- Kids Wish Network: U.S.-based charity granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Direct overlap in mission, beneficiary age group, and wish-experience model, though smaller in scale and with a primarily domestic footprint.
- Variety - the Children's Charity: International children's charity with a flagship mission of granting wishes and providing life-changing experiences to children with serious illnesses and disabilities. Overlaps directly with Make-A-Wish in target beneficiary, wish-granting model, and corporate partner activation.
- Sunshine Foundation: Charity granting wishes to chronically ill, physically challenged, and abused children. Direct overlap in wish-granting model and pediatric beneficiary focus, though with a more U.S.-centric footprint and narrower eligibility criteria.
Emerging players
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: U.S. nonprofit funding childhood cancer research and family support programs. Comparable as a pediatric cancer-focused donor-driven charity, but narrower in scope (oncology only) and oriented toward research grants rather than wish experiences.
- National Children's Cancer Society: U.S. nonprofit providing financial, emotional, and educational support to children with cancer and their families. Comparable in serving families of critically ill children and in donor-supported model, but smaller scale and focused on financial assistance over wishes.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Make-A-Wish International social profiles
Digital presenceMake-A-Wish International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Make-A-Wish International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Make-A-Wish International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Make-A-Wish International subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Make-A-Wish International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Make-A-Wish International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Make-A-Wish International
What does Make-A-Wish International do?
Make-A-Wish International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that grants life-changing wishes to children aged 3-17 diagnosed with critical illnesses. The organization delivers the wish-granting service at no cost to families through a global network of nearly 50 country affiliates, supported by individual donations, corporate partnerships, planned giving, charity streaming events, and cause-related marketing programs.
Is Make-A-Wish International a public or private company?
Make-A-Wish International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Make-A-Wish International founded?
Make-A-Wish International was founded in 1980.
Where is Make-A-Wish International based?
Make-A-Wish International is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does Make-A-Wish International make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships, planned Giving and charity Streaming.
Who are Make-A-Wish International's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Direct peers are Make-A-Wish America, Starlight Children's Foundation, Kids Wish Network, Variety - the Children's Charity and Sunshine Foundation. Emerging players are Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and National Children's Cancer Society.
Does Make-A-Wish International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Make-A-Wish International.
What industry is Make-A-Wish International in?
Make-A-Wish International's product category is Children's Wish-Granting Charity Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAF, Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations, with a secondary code of HLAJAKAG, Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.