Make-A-Wish International

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.

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

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

• Children's wish granting
• Nonprofit charitable services
• Critical illness support
• Corporate cause partnerships
• Charity fundraising programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time donations, monthly recurring gifts, and cryptocurrency donations. The organization accepts over 70 types of cryptocurrency.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners support through cause-related marketing, integrated customer donations, employee fundraising, gift in kind, and event sponsorship.
3. Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and gifts of appreciated assets provide long-term funding.
4. 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

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and standard.

• UbercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 March 2026Transportation 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 1flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Official '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.
• DisneyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-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.
• PorschemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner helping create unforgettable wish experiences for children with critical illnesses.
• Booking.commajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting wish travel experiences and accommodations.
• Robert HalfmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployee fundraising partnership with over 2,800 employees across 19 countries participating in global fundraising events since 2021.
• Royal CaribbeanmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCruise partner providing wish experiences for children and families.
• Claire'sstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerCause-related marketing through product sales and ear-piercing kits supporting Make-A-Wish globally.
• Club Med FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting wish experiences at Club Med resorts worldwide.
• easyJetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided flight vouchers and crew support in 2024, enriching wish experiences for families across its network.
• FairmontflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud 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.
• RevolutmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-app donations available to Revolut users in 45 countries since 2023, enabling easy charitable giving.
• WWEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional wrestling entertainment partner supporting wish experiences and meet-and-greets.
• Jingle JamcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partner for the annual gaming community fundraiser, uniting world's best games, creators and communities to raise funds for wishes.
• Infinite Wishes Games Industry PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGaming 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/MakeAWishIntl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MakeAWishIntl
• Facebookfacebook.com/MakeAWishIntl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/make-a-wish-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/makeawishintl
• TikToktiktok.com/@makeawishintl

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Make-A-Wish International