Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina

What Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina does

Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit chapter of Make-A-Wish America, founded in 1986 and headquartered in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina. The chapter grants life-changing wishes to children ages 2½ to 18 who have been diagnosed with critical illnesses (progressive, degenerative, or malignant conditions that place their life in jeopardy), at no cost to families and with no income-based qualification criteria. The organization operates within a federated national structure of approximately 57 chapters supported by nearly 20,000 volunteers, making it one of 57 local entities granting wishes to children across the United States; the national umbrella has granted more than 400,000 wishes since 1980, operating in nearly 50 countries and territories on six continents. Wish delivery is coordinated end-to-end — from medical professional or family referrals through a Salesforce-based wish referral system, to volunteer wish granter engagement, to fulfillment involving travel (77% of wishes), celebrity meetings, or experience-based enhancements (e.g., professional equipment, room makeovers, or themed experiences).

The chapter's revenue model is entirely donation-driven, with no fees charged for services rendered. Revenue streams comprise individual contributions, corporate donations and sponsorships, foundation grants, special event proceeds (galas, golf outings, walks), planned giving / legacy bequests, and chapter-level assessments supporting the national organization. Distribution occurs through an online donation portal, mail-in donations, phone-based giving, workplace giving and corporate matching programs, and direct volunteer-driven wish fulfillment. The underlying technology stack is workflow-centric rather than proprietary: Salesforce for case management and referrals, a custom donation platform (secure2.wish.org), Amazon Business for procurement, and standard payment processors; no AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or patented technology are disclosed.

The go-to-market motion is community-led: the chapter's primary constituents are (a) eligible children referred by medical professionals and families, and (b) donors and corporate partners who fund wish fulfillment through one-time gifts, recurring monthly donations, event participation, workplace giving, and CSR programs such as the flagship Walt Disney Company relationship (involved in roughly half of all wishes) and the Subaru Share the Love Event. The chapter relies on its parent brand's recognition, accreditation by Charity Navigator (4-star), BBB, and Candid (Platinum Transparency 2026), and ongoing community events to sustain fund development, while physician endorsement (99% of doctors report wishes relieve traumatic stress) sustains the referral pipeline. No private-equity or venture ownership exists; the organization is governed as a tax-exempt nonprofit under the national Make-A-Wish Foundation of America (EIN 86-0481941).

Name

Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina

Legal name

Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina

Website

https://wish.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit chapter that grants life-changing wishes at no cost to children ages 2½ to 18 with critical illnesses in Eastern North Carolina, funded entirely through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and special events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

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, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Contributions: Direct donations from individuals supporting wish granting in the Eastern North Carolina chapter territory
2. Corporate Donations and Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support and in-kind contributions for wish experiences
3. Foundation Grants: Grants from private foundations supporting wish granting operations
4. Special Events: Chapter-organized fundraising events including galas, golf outings, walks, and community events
5. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts, bequests, and estate planning donations
6. Chapter Fees and Assessments: Fees from local chapters supporting the national organization

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina grants life-changing wishes to children ages 2½ to 18 diagnosed with critical illnesses (progressive, degenerative, or malignant conditions) residing in the Eastern North Carolina region. As one of 57 local chapters of Make-A-Wish America, the chapter raises funds locally and coordinates wish experiences — including travel wishes, celebrity meetings, "become" wishes, and gift wishes — at no cost to the child's family.

Product overview

Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit wish-granting organization operating as a federated model with 57 local chapters across the U.S. The core offering is the Wish Granting Program, which grants life-changing wishes to children ages 2½ to 18 with critical illnesses. Supporting this are fundraising platforms including Wish Your Way (peer-to-peer fundraising), the Wishmakers at Work corporate giving program, and youth programs like Kids for Wish Kids and Wishmakers on Campus. The organization also operates volunteer programs (Wish Granter), an online Donation Processing Platform, and a Salesforce-based Wish Referral System. Together these components enable the end-to-end wish-granting process from referral through fulfillment, funded entirely by donations without cost to families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wish Granting Program
• Wishmakers at Work
• Wish Your Way
• Kids for Wish Kids
• Wishmakers on Campus
• Wish Granter Volunteer Program
• Donation Processing Platform
• Wish Referral System

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of doctors say wishes help relieve a family from traumatic stress
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Breeze AirwayscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 November 2025Breeze Airways has partnered with Make-A-Wish South Carolina to support wish-related travel for children with critical illnesses. The partnership was announced during Breeze Airways' fifth annual Breeze Kindness Week and involves facilitating travel for wish recipients across South Carolina.
• The Walt Disney CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Walt Disney Company is involved in approximately half of the wishes Make-A-Wish grants. Disney provides wish experiences including theme park visits, character encounters, and magical experiences for wish children.
• Amazon BusinesscoreTechnology or IntegrationMake-A-Wish Wisconsin utilizes Amazon Business for technology-enabled procurement to fulfill the wide range of wish requests, from gaming computers to aquarium visits, addressing significant procurement challenges.
• Kesslers DiamondscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKesslers Diamonds is a corporate sponsor presenting events like the Wishful Giving Radio Event and is led by Joe Gehrke, Treasurer of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin's Board.
• Lou Malnati'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLou Malnati's heart-shaped pizzas help support Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, with a portion of February sales donated to the chapter.
• Exact SciencescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExact Sciences partnered with Make-A-Wish at the American Family Insurance Championship for three consecutive years to give local golfers wish experiences with PGA Tour Champion Jerry Kelly.
• Milwaukee BuckscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Milwaukee Bucks partner with Make-A-Wish Wisconsin for events including wish reveals and one-day contract signings for wish kids.
• Bergstrom AutomotivecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBergstrom Automotive has donated over $2 million to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin through various fundraising initiatives and sponsorships.
• Subaru of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSubaru Share the Love Event donates minimum $300 per vehicle sold or leased to Make-A-Wish during the holiday season event.
• iHeartMediacoreGTM or Marketing PartneriHeartMedia stations throughout Wisconsin broadcast the annual Wishful Giving Radio Event to raise funds for wish granting.
• CoVantage Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoVantage Credit Union presents the Golf for Wishes event benefiting Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.
• Sargento and Masters Gallery FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSargento and Masters Gallery Foods present the Golf for Wishes event at Blackwolf Run benefiting Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Major U.S. nonprofit focused on childhood cancer, combining direct family support, research funding, and grassroots fundraising — competitive for the same pediatric illness donor and corporate partner dollars.
• Children's Wish Foundation International: Direct competitor that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses through international chapters; comparable model based on wish fulfillment, medical referral pipeline, and donor-funded programming.
• Sunshine Foundation: U.S. wish-granting charity serving children with chronic or life-threatening conditions; operates under the same 'wish fulfillment' framework with similar corporate partnerships, volunteer model, and pediatric donor base.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: Charitable organization providing programs and experiences for seriously ill children, including wish-like deliveries; comparable donor-driven model with hospital partnerships and pediatric focus.
• Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina: Sister chapter operating the same Make-A-Wish model (referral → wish planning → fulfillment) for the adjacent region of North Carolina. Closest structural and operational peer given identical brand, mission, and delivery framework.
• National Children's Cancer Society: U.S. nonprofit serving children with cancer through financial assistance, education, and emotional support; competes for a similar donor segment but emphasizes financial aid over wish experiences.
• American Childhood Cancer Organization: National nonprofit dedicated to childhood cancer support, including family services and advocacy; draws from a comparable donor pool and runs chapter-style operations across the U.S.

Broad incumbents

• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Large established nonprofit serving families of critically ill children via lodging and wraparound services; significantly larger scale but overlapping donor base, pediatric illness beneficiary, and hospital-channel distribution.
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Pre-eminent pediatric cancer research and treatment institution with a massive fundraising apparatus; competes for charitable dollars in the pediatric illness space, though its core service (treatment) is much broader than wish granting.

Regional players

• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada: International affiliate of the same Make-A-Wish network operating the wish-granting model in Canada — comparable in mission, beneficiary, and operational structure but operates in a different national market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Eastern North Carolina