Magic Wheelchair
Magic Wheelchair is a 501(c)(3) Oregon nonprofit that designs and builds custom themed wheelchair costumes — Star Wars, Justice League, Barbie — at no cost to families of children and adults using wheelchairs for mobility, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and a small merchandise storefront.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersOregon, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Magic Wheelchair does
Magic Wheelchair is a 501(c)(3) Oregon nonprofit organization (Tax ID 47-2144671) that designs and builds custom themed wheelchair costumes at no cost to families of children and adults who use wheelchairs for mobility. The organization operates from a single headquarters and fabrication facility called The Magic Makerspace at 109 Northeast Roberts Avenue, Gresham, Oregon, where costumes are produced using foam sculpting, vacuum forming, and 3D printing techniques applied to donated EPS foam and other in-kind materials. Core thematic categories of past builds include Star Wars vehicles (X-Wing fighters, Millennium Falcon, Star Destroyers), Justice League superheroes, Barbie, Stranger Things, Mario Kart, and custom characters such as Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. Each costume project follows an approximately 12-week build timeline from application to public reveal, with the organization stating a goal to match applicants within 12 months given regional volunteer availability.
The organization's revenue model is entirely philanthropic and relies on five streams: individual donations via website, Venmo, PayPal, Facebook Fundraising, and Round Up programs; corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations (notably Mattel, Twitch, 3DEXPERIENCE Lab/Dassault Systèmes, Wildbrain Studios, Permobil Foundation, and Axiom Custom); alternative-asset giving including cryptocurrency and stock; community rewards programs such as the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program; and a small merchandise storefront selling stickers, t-shirts, hats, mugs, and tote bags priced between $1 and $20. All costume services are free to eligible recipients. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: families apply through the website, volunteer builders are matched regionally, and high-visibility reveal events at conventions such as San Diego Comic-Con and Licensing Expo generate earned media coverage and social media content that drives new applications, volunteers, and donations.
The organization maintains an active presence across Instagram (@MagicWheelchair, #MagicWheelchair), YouTube, Facebook, and email newsletter, with notable earned media coverage from NBC, Fast Company, Upworthy, Great Big Story, People Magazine, and Yahoo TV. There is no technology platform, mobile app, or developer API; the operation is fundamentally a physical fabrication and community-orchestration nonprofit with a modest e-commerce merchandise component. Distribution is domestic only, with no international shipping or operations indicated.
Magic Wheelchair firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Magic Wheelchair
- Legal name
- Magic Wheelchair
- Website
- https://magicwheelchair.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Magic Wheelchair is a 501(c)(3) Oregon nonprofit that designs and builds custom themed wheelchair costumes — Star Wars, Justice League, Barbie — at no cost to families of children and adults using wheelchairs for mobility, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and a small merchandise storefront.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Magic Wheelchair industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Disability Inclusion Services
- NAICS
- All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
Keywords
Where Magic Wheelchair is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oregon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Magic Wheelchair business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute via the website, Venmo, PayPal, Facebook Fundraising, and Round Up when shopping programs. Donations support costume building operations.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support and in-kind donations. Partners include Mattel, Twitch, 3DEXPERIENCE Lab, and others who support the mission.
- Merchandise Sales: Online shop sells branded merchandise including stickers, t-shirts, hats, mugs, and tote bags. Prices range from $1 to $20.
- Crypto and Stock Donations: Accepts cryptocurrency and stock donations as alternative giving methods.
- In-Kind Donations: Materials and equipment donations from companies and individuals. Examples include EPS foam from Axiom Custom, used for building costumes.
- Community Rewards Programs: Partnered with Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program where shoppers can designate Magic Wheelchair as their charity of choice.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free costume service for wheelchair users |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise items (stickers, apparel, accessories) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Magic Wheelchair product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Magic Wheelchair is a nonprofit organization that designs and builds custom epic wheelchair costumes at no cost to qualifying families who primarily use wheelchairs for mobility. The program transforms wheelchairs into themed costumes such as Star Wars, Justice League, Mario Kart, Stranger Things, and custom character designs using foam sculpting, vacuum forming, and 3D printing at The Magic Makerspace in Gresham, Oregon. Supporting the mission, the organization sells branded merchandise (stickers, t-shirts, hats, mugs, totes) and accepts donations, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind materials contributions.
Product overview
Magic Wheelchair is a 501(c)(3) Oregon nonprofit organization that operates as a single unified charitable service focused on building epic wheelchair costumes at no cost to families. The organization offers its core service (the Magic Wheelchair Costume Program) which transforms children's wheelchairs into themed costumes such as Star Wars, Justice League, Mario Kart, and Stranger Things. Supporting this mission is a merchandise shop selling branded items including sticker sheets, t-shirts, mugs, totes, hats, and BottleDrop recycling bags. The galleries (Magic Gallery, Star Wars Gallery, and Magic Justice League Gallery) document past costume reveals. There is no technology platform or software product; the organization is entirely focused on the charitable costume-building mission and related fundraising merchandise.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Magic Wheelchair Costume Program
Companies that use Magic Wheelchair
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Magic Wheelchair technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Magic Wheelchair partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MattelcoreMattel is a key partner that collaborates on Magic Wheelchair reveals at major events including Comic Con and Licensing Expo. The partnership has created costumes themed around Barbie and Masters of the Universe.
- Wildbrain StudiosminorPartnership at Licensing Expo 2024 resulted in Olivia's Strawberry Ride Magic Wheelchair costume reveal.
- TwitchminorLogo displayed on homepage as a partner and sponsor.
- ForTheWin (FTW)minorLogo displayed on homepage and sponsor page as a partner.
- TOIAminorLogo displayed on sponsor sign-up page.
- Star Wars Fan GroupsminorStar Destroyer Builders and other fan communities collaborate on Star Wars-themed wheelchair builds.
- Fred MeyerminorFred Meyer Community Rewards Program allows shoppers to designate Magic Wheelchair as their charity, earning donations from qualified purchases.
- Charity NerdsminorLogo displayed on sponsor sign-up page.
- Dangling Carrot CreativeminorLogo displayed on sponsor sign-up page.
- Can CanminorLogo displayed on sponsor sign-up page.
- VITAminorLogo displayed on sponsor sign-up page.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Magic Wheelchair competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Special Olympics: Global nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sports, with a much larger footprint. Comparable in its disability-inclusion mission, major corporate sponsorships, and event-driven awareness, though operating in sports rather than costume/mobility transformation.
- Permobil Foundation: Foundation of wheelchair manufacturer Permobil supporting mobility and quality of life for wheelchair users. Directly comparable in the wheelchair community and is also an existing Magic Wheelchair sponsor, providing a relevant incumbent benchmark.
Direct peers
- Challenged Athletes Foundation: Nonprofit providing opportunities and adaptive sports equipment to people with physical disabilities. Closely comparable in serving the wheelchair/mobility community through grants, corporate partnerships, and event-driven fundraising.
- Starlight Children's Foundation: Children's charity that delivers entertainment and experiences to seriously ill kids. Comparable in mission of creating magical moments for children facing medical challenges and in leveraging corporate partnerships and event-driven marketing.
- Make-A-Wish Foundation: National 501(c)(3) that grants transformative wishes to children with critical illnesses, creating shareable memorable experiences. Directly comparable to Magic Wheelchair's model of delivering high-emotional-impact experiences at no cost to families, with similar reliance on corporate partnerships and volunteer networks.
- Icing Smiles: Nonprofit that provides custom celebration cakes to children facing critical illnesses. Comparable model of delivering high-emotional-impact custom creations for sick/disabled children, with volunteer maker networks and corporate sponsorship.
- Life Rolls On Foundation: Nonprofit supporting people with spinal cord injuries through adaptive surfing and other quality-of-life programs. Comparable nonprofit serving the wheelchair/spinal injury community with adaptive activity programs and event-driven fundraising.
- Dreams Come True: Wish-granting nonprofit for children with life-threatening conditions. Comparable to Magic Wheelchair's model of delivering transformative experiences at no cost to families, with similar reliance on donations and volunteers.
Emerging players
- National Ability Sports: Adaptive sports organization providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities. Comparable in mission around disability inclusion and adaptive experiences, though focused on sports rather than mobility transformations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Magic Wheelchair social profiles
Digital presenceMagic Wheelchair compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Magic Wheelchair financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Magic Wheelchair leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Magic Wheelchair funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Magic Wheelchair 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 Magic Wheelchair
What does Magic Wheelchair do?
Magic Wheelchair is a nonprofit organization that designs and builds custom epic wheelchair costumes at no cost to qualifying families who primarily use wheelchairs for mobility. The program transforms wheelchairs into themed costumes such as Star Wars, Justice League, Mario Kart, Stranger Things, and custom character designs using foam sculpting, vacuum forming, and 3D printing at The Magic Makerspace in Gresham, Oregon. Supporting the mission, the organization sells branded merchandise (stickers, t-shirts, hats, mugs, totes) and accepts donations, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind materials contributions.
Is Magic Wheelchair a public or private company?
Magic Wheelchair is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Magic Wheelchair founded?
Magic Wheelchair was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Magic Wheelchair based?
Magic Wheelchair is headquartered in Oregon, United States, in the North America region.
How does Magic Wheelchair make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, merchandise Sales, crypto and Stock Donations, in-Kind Donations and community Rewards Programs.
Who are Magic Wheelchair's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Special Olympics and Permobil Foundation. Direct peers are Challenged Athletes Foundation, Starlight Children's Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Icing Smiles, Life Rolls On Foundation and Dreams Come True. National Ability Sports is listed as an emerging player.
Does Magic Wheelchair have an API?
No public API is recorded for Magic Wheelchair.
What industry is Magic Wheelchair in?
Magic Wheelchair's product category is Nonprofit Disability Inclusion Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 71399 and its SIC code is 7900.