Make-a-wish Foundation®uae

What Make-a-wish Foundation®uae does

Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE (مؤسسة تحقيق أمنية) is a UAE-registered nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi that grants wishes to children aged 3-18 diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. Operating under the global Make-A-Wish Foundation International network (founded 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona) and under the chairmanship of Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha bint Saif Al Nahyan, the foundation has cumulatively granted more than 8,000 wishes across the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Yemen, and Gaza. Eligibility is physician-confirmed and gated by UAE passport or residence-visa status, with wishes categorized into four types: 'I wish to be' (career aspiration), 'I wish to go' (travel), 'I wish to meet' (celebrity encounter), and 'I wish to have' (desired item). H1 2026 output reached 515 wishes for 291 boys and 224 girls across 25 nationalities and 46 medical conditions, achieving 57% of the annual target within six months.

Operational reach is delivered through an institutional partnership ecosystem rather than direct consumer marketing. Children are referred through 29 hospital and healthcare partnerships (Burjeel Hospital, Reem Hospital, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, King Hussein Cancer Foundation, Abu Al Reesh Japanese Hospital Cairo, Magdi Yacoub Foundation Aswan), with 46+ private Abu Dhabi schools acting as awareness, volunteer, and co-granting channels. Funding flows through individual donations (SMS via Etisalat/e& and du in 50/100/200/500 AED tiers, credit card donations via Visa/Mastercard/Apple Pay/Samsung Pay, and IBAN bank transfers), corporate sponsorships (ADNOC, Emirates Palace, TAQA, AD Ports Group, Agthia, Abu Dhabi Tourism), telecom-facilitated giving infrastructure, and recurring community events (annual Make-A-Wish Run in its 8th edition, Eid Al Adha Wishes Market in its 15th edition, Ramadan Wishes Market, Strength and Hope Gala at Conrad Abu Dhabi, Rhymes and Wishes poetry evening). Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the foundation takes no payment from beneficiary families.

The technology stack is a charity-management and donation-acceptance web platform (makeawish.ae) with no disclosed API, app, or AI/ML capabilities; supporting infrastructure includes SMS short-code integrations, payment-gateway integrations, an IBAN bank-transfer workflow, and individualized campaign pages enabling targeted crowdfunding for specific children's wishes. Distribution relies on direct referral through healthcare providers and schools, supported by event-driven community engagement and PR/earned media coverage. No equity funding, venture capital, or institutional investor ownership is present; ownership rests with the Board of Trustees under royal family patronage.

Name

Make-a-wish Foundation®uae

Legal name

Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE

Website

https://makeawish.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE is an Abu Dhabi-based nonprofit that grants wishes to children aged 3-18 with life-threatening medical conditions in the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Yemen, and Gaza, funded by individual donations, corporate sponsors, telecom partners, and community events under royal-family patronage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Wish-Granting Charity Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG), Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH)

Keywords

• Wish-granting charity
• Children's healthcare nonprofit
• Critical illness support services
• Humanitarian community fundraising
• Corporate philanthropy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donations received through multiple channels: SMS donations (50, 100, 200, 500 AED), credit card donations (300, 400, 1000 AED and custom amounts), and bank transfers. The foundation also accepts donations through campaigns like 'Dirham of Wishes' (درهم الأمنيات).
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Strategic partnerships with corporate sponsors including ADNOC, Emirates Palace, Agthia, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, TAQA, AD Ports Group, and others who provide financial support, in-kind donations, and wish fulfillment contributions.
3. Telecom Partnership: Partnership with Etisalat and du for SMS donation services, enabling text-to-donate campaigns for supporters.
4. Event Revenue: Community events including the Make-A-Wish Run, Wishes Markets (Eid and Ramadan), and galas that generate fundraising while raising awareness.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE is a charitable nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children aged 3-18 living with critical or life-threatening medical conditions. Wishes are categorized into four types: 'I wish to be' (career aspirations), 'I wish to go' (travel), 'I wish to meet' (celebrities), and 'I wish to have' (items). The foundation operates in the UAE and extends wish-granting to Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Yemen, and Gaza through hospital partnerships, with funding sourced entirely from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, telecom-enabled SMS donations, and community fundraising events.

Product overview

Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE operates as a charitable organization that grants wishes to children aged 3-18 with life-threatening medical conditions. The foundation's core offering is its wish-granting program, which categorizes wishes into four types: 'I wish to be' (career aspirations), 'I wish to go' (travel destinations), 'I wish to meet' (celebrities), and 'I wish to have' (desired items). Supporting this mission are various donation channels including SMS text donations via Etisalat and Du, online credit card donations via Visa/Mastercard/Apple Pay/Samsung Pay, and bank transfers via ADIB. The foundation also organizes fundraising events including the annual Ramadan Wishes Market, Eid Al-Adha Wishes Market, and Make-A-Wish Run. Individual campaign donation pages enable targeted support for specific children's wishes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wish Granting Program The foundation's core service that grants wishes to children aged 3-18 with life-threatening medical conditions, confirmed by a practicing physician in the UAE and holding a UAE passport or residence visa. Wishes fall into four categories: 'I wish to be' (career aspirations), 'I wish to go' (travel destinations), 'I wish to meet' (celebrities), and 'I wish to have' (desired items).
• SMS Donation Service (Dirham of Wishes) Text-to-donate service allowing individual supporters to contribute AED 50, 100, 200, or 500 via SMS through Etisalat and Du telecom networks in the UAE, supporting the foundation's wish-granting mission.
• Online Credit Card Donation Portal Digital donation portal accepting Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay contributions at preset tiers of AED 300, 400, 1000, or custom amounts in UAE Dirhams.
• Bank Transfer Donation Direct bank transfer donation channel via Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) using IBAN AE180500000000016492657 for individual and corporate UAE donors.
• Campaign Donation Pages Individual campaign fundraising pages on the foundation's website enabling donors to support specific children's wishes, including medical needs, travel experiences, and umrah pilgrimages.
• Ramadan Wishes Market Annual charity exhibition held during Ramadan featuring heritage products, handcrafts, and community activities to raise funds and awareness for the foundation's wish-granting mission.
• Make-A-Wish Run Annual community running event in its 8th edition, organized at Al Hudayriyat Island/Yas Bay Waterfront with partner ADCB and Gulf Multisport to generate fundraising and community awareness for the wish-granting mission.
• Eid Al-Adha Wishes Market

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% strategic goal achievement rate with 15% growth year-over-year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ma'an (هيئة المساهمات المجتمعية)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026Community Contributions Authority supporting Latifa's wish to travel to Phuket, Thailand with her family.
• Burjeel HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 February 2023MOU signed to facilitate patient referrals and information sharing for critically ill children to receive wishes.
• Etisalat (e&)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing SMS donation services enabling text-to-donate campaigns. Logo displayed as strategic partner on foundation materials.
• ADNOCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate sponsor providing funding and volunteer support for wish granting activities.
• Emirates PalacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuxury hotel partner hosting events and providing in-kind support for wish experiences.
• Conrad Abu DhabicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Strength and Hope Gala and wish granting events. Provides hospitality support for children and families.
• Makani Al ShamkhacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate company hosting the 15th edition of Eid Al Adha Wishes Market (May 12 - June 10, 2026) at their venue.
• Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment development fund supporting foundation's humanitarian initiatives.
• TAQAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner MOU signed 2025 to support critically ill children as part of Year of Community initiatives.
• AD Ports GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPorts and logistics company supporting foundation's humanitarian mission.
• Khawla Art and Culture FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on World Wish Day 2026 to fulfill artist Houor's wish, providing art experience and professional tools.
• Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic banking partner supporting Make-A-Wish Run for 6 consecutive years, providing funding and organizational support.
• e& (formerly Etisalat)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelecom company enabling wish fulfillment for 16 children in Egyptian hospitals (Abu Al Reesh and Magdi Yacoub) through volunteers and digital support.
• King Hussein Cancer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJordanian cancer center partnership since 2014 enabling 1,490+ wishes for children over 10 years.
• Miral GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntertainment developer of Yas Island providing attractions access (SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, CLYMB) and Yas Annual Passes for wish children.
• Reem HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed September 2025 as part of Year of Community 2025 to support children with critical illnesses.
• Sheikh Khalifa Medical CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Abu Dhabi hospital collaborating on World Kidney Day and other wish-granting events.
• Gulf MultisportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvent management company organizing the annual Make-A-Wish Run for 8th consecutive edition.
• 46 Private Schools Abu DhabicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchools participating in 2025-2026 academic year helping grant 80 wishes and promoting culture of giving among students.
• Thrifty (UAE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVehicle rental company driving smiles across UAE through partnership supporting wish transportation needs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Make-A-Wish Foundation International: Global parent network of Make-A-Wish chapters operating in 50+ countries with 585,000+ wishes granted. Directly comparable as the umbrella organization overseeing the UAE chapter and other affiliates.
• King Hussein Cancer Foundation: Jordanian cancer center and charity that has partnered with Make-A-Wish UAE since 2014 to grant 1,490+ wishes. Highly comparable as a regional medical charity partner with shared beneficiary base.
• Starlight Children's Foundation: US-based nonprofit focused on delivering wishes, entertainment, and supportive programs to seriously ill children and their families. Directly comparable mission and beneficiary segment.
• Dream Foundation: US nonprofit granting wishes to adults and children with life-limiting illnesses. Comparable wish-granting model and end-of-life care beneficiary focus.
• Children's Wish Foundation International (Canada): Canadian wish-granting charity for children with life-threatening illnesses, serving a similar mandate globally. Comparable operating model and beneficiary profile.

Broad incumbents

• Emirates Red Crescent: UAE humanitarian charity providing disaster relief and social support across the region. Broader in scope but competes for similar UAE corporate CSR funding and donor mindshare.
• Dubai Cares: UAE-based philanthropic foundation focused on children's education across the developing world. Comparable child-centric beneficiary focus and UAE philanthropic ecosystem positioning.
• Beit Al Khair Society: Major UAE charitable society supporting families, orphans, and patients with critical conditions. Comparable UAE charitable footprint and beneficiary overlap.
• Al Jalila Foundation: UAE-based philanthropic foundation focused on medical treatment, education, and research. Larger UAE health-charity incumbent with overlapping donor pool and corporate partner base.

Emerging players

• Smile Train: Global nonprofit providing free cleft palate and lip surgery to children in developing countries. Comparable global child-health charity model with hospital partnership channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=gjsP3yvLoPY
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/makeawishuae

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Foundation®uae