Make-A-Wish® Singapore
Make-A-Wish Singapore is a registered children's charity (IPC) founded in 2002 that grants wishes to children ages 3-18 with critical illnesses in Singapore, operating as the sole local affiliate of the global Make-A-Wish network. It funds operations through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, signature events, and legacy giving.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSingapore, Singapore
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Make-A-Wish® Singapore does
Make-A-Wish Singapore is a registered children's charity (Institution of a Public Character) incorporated as Make-A-Wish Foundation (Singapore) Limited, founded in March 2002 and headquartered at 1 Coleman Street, The Adelphi. It is the sole wish-granting organisation of its kind in Singapore and the local affiliate of the world's largest wish-granting network, which has granted over 500,000 wishes globally since 1980. The organisation grants life-changing wishes to children ages 3 to 18 living with critical illnesses through a structured five-stage Wish Journey: Wish Capture, Wish Design, Wish Anticipation, Wish Realisation, and Wish Impact. Referrals are accepted from medical professionals, parents/guardians, or the children themselves, and the organisation employs a small core staff team supported by 165 active volunteer wish granters who guide children through the wish journey.
The organisation does not rely on proprietary technology platforms; its technology footprint is limited to a public website, a donation portal, and third-party forms (Cognito Forms) for volunteer and alumni registrations. Revenue is diversified across individual donations (which qualify for a 250% tax deduction for Singapore tax residents donating S$50 and above), corporate sponsorships (Disney, LEGO, Singapore Airlines, SAP, Secretlab, Marina Bay Sands, and others), signature fundraising events (Charity Golf averaging S$300,000 per edition across 17 events; Santa Run for Wishes with 24,000+ cumulative participants), and legacy giving via wills, insurance, and CPF nominations. As of December 2021, Make-A-Wish Singapore had granted its 1,700th wish, and the organisation celebrated 20 years of operations in 2022.
The go-to-market is community-led: hospital referral relationships (anchored by two paediatricians on the Board from KK Women's and Children's Hospital and the National University Hospital), corporate CSR partnerships, school and youth fundraising programmes, and direct donor engagement drive pipeline. The organisation is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Leonard Lim (Partner at Azimut Global Asset Management) and led operationally by CEO Rajendra Pai. It maintains a Wish Alumni Programme for former recipients and an Adopt-A-Wish programme enabling direct corporate sponsorship of individual wishes.
Make-A-Wish® Singapore firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Make-A-Wish® Singapore
- Legal name
- Make-A-Wish Foundation (Singapore) Limited
- Website
- https://makeawish.org.sg
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Make-A-Wish Singapore is a registered children's charity (IPC) founded in 2002 that grants wishes to children ages 3-18 with critical illnesses in Singapore, operating as the sole local affiliate of the global Make-A-Wish network. It funds operations through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, signature events, and legacy giving.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Make-A-Wish® Singapore industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Wish Granting Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Mental Health & Infant/Early Childhood Consultation (0–5) (EDACAFAO)
Keywords
Where Make-A-Wish® Singapore is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Singapore
- HQ country
- Singapore
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Make-A-Wish® Singapore business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals who want to support children with critical illnesses. Singapore tax residents enjoy a 250% tax deduction for donations of S$50 and above.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors adopt wishes, sponsor events, or provide in-kind contributions. Partners include Disney, LEGO, Singapore Airlines, SAP, Secretlab, and others.
- Charity Events: Annual signature events including Charity Golf (raises average S$300,000 per year across 17 events), Santa Run for Wishes, and other fundraising activities.
- Legacy Giving: Bequest gifts through wills, insurance policy nominations, and CPF nominations to create lasting impact.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation impact examples |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Make-A-Wish® Singapore product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Make-A-Wish Singapore grants wishes to children aged 3-18 with critical illnesses in Singapore. The core service involves volunteer wish granters visiting wish families to understand the child's wish and then coordinating with a network of partners to bring the wish to life. The organization operates as a registered charity funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events.
Product overview
Make-A-Wish Singapore operates as a children's charity organisation offering a unified wish granting service rather than a technology product. The core offering is the Wish Granting Programme, which takes children aged 3-18 with critical illnesses through a five-stage journey: Wish Capture, Wish Design, Wish Anticipation, Wish Realisation, and Wish Impact. Supporting programmes include the Wish Alumni Programme for former recipients, Adopt-A-Wish for direct wish sponsorship, and Legacy Giving for planned contributions. The organisation runs two flagship signature events (Make-A-Wish Charity Golf and Santa Run for Wishes) as primary fundraising channels. Volunteer programmes include Wish Granter training and Creative Volunteer opportunities. Corporate and School Partnership programmes facilitate organisational support. All services interconnect around the central mission of granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wish Granting Programme Core service granting personal wishes to children aged 3-18 with critical illnesses in Singapore, delivered through volunteer wish granters who visit wish families and coordinate partner fulfillment.
- Wish Alumni Programme Ongoing programme for past wish recipients (wish alumni) to stay connected with the foundation and participate in community and engagement activities.
- Adopt-A-Wish Programme Programme allowing donors to directly fund the wish of a specific child, providing a tangible giving experience for individuals and groups.
- Legacy Giving Programme Planned giving and legacy programme enabling donors to support the foundation through bequests, trusts, or estate gifts.
- Make-A-Wish Charity Golf Signature annual charity golf event that raises funds and awareness for the foundation's wish-granting mission.
- Santa Run for Wishes Annual community fundraising run that supports the foundation's wish-granting work.
- Corporate Sponsorship Programme Structured programme for corporate partners to sponsor wish-granting activities, events, or initiatives for CSR and brand alignment.
- School Partnership Programme Engagement programme for schools and youth groups to participate in volunteering, fundraising, and awareness activities.
- Wish Granter Volunteer Programme Volunteer programme recruiting and training members of the public to serve as wish granters who visit wish families and facilitate wish fulfillment.
- Creative Volunteer Programme Volunteer programme inviting creatives to contribute skills in support of wish-granting and the charity's mission.
Quantifiable outcome
- 89% of families agreed that the wish experience added to the wish child's quality of life
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Make-A-Wish® Singapore
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Make-A-Wish® Singapore technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Make-A-Wish® Singapore partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.
- The Black Hole GroupcoreChef Khalish's wish was facilitated through partnership with Chef Sazali Ahmad from The Black Hole group. Khalish received a customised Black Hole group jacket making him 'boss of their kitchen for the weekend'.
- Singapore Airlines (SIA Krisflyer)corePartnership for wish children who require air travel for their wishes. First flight on SIA Krisflyer partnership took off in 2016 when wish child Lauren, a Liverpool FC fan, flew to Manchester.
- LEGO GroupkeyKey partner since 2010, inspiring wish kids through LEGO wishes and play experiences. Many wish kids love LEGO as it sparks joy and provides distraction from medical treatment.
- The Walt Disney CompanykeyKey partner for more than 15 years bringing hope and magical moments to children and families. Includes Disney Avengers Academy events and Disney wish experiences. 37 wish children were sworn in as Little Avengers by Robert Downey Jr. in 2018.
- SAP SingaporekeyLong-standing partner since 2003, sponsoring gifts for wish children at year-end parties for over 15 years. Also partnered on Santa on Wheels initiative in 2020 to deliver toys to wish families' homes during pandemic.
- Sentosa Golf ClubcoreVenue partner for annual Charity Golf tournaments since 2003. 136 golfers joined first event at Sentosa Golf Club where former President SR Nathan and Mrs Nathan graced the event.
- Make-A-Wish Metro New YorkcoreUS affiliate that helped coordinate Sunny's wish to visit New York, coordinating missions at 8 locations across Manhattan.
- iFly SingaporecoreIndoor skydiving facility where wish child Jarene had her birthday wish experience. She had 2 private skydiving lessons and hosted her birthday party at the facility.
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History MuseumsupportingProvided private tour for wish child Lia's dinosaur-themed wish party, featuring real dinosaur fossils.
- Franciscan FriarssupportingReligious community that hosted wish child Januarius for his 'be a friar' wish experience, providing a day at the seminary with friars.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Make-A-Wish® Singapore competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- KidzWish (Singapore): Singapore charity granting wishes and supporting special needs and chronically ill children; highly comparable Singapore-based wish-granting model, though smaller scale than Make-A-Wish Singapore.
- Dreams Come True (UK): UK-based charity granting wishes to seriously ill children; near-identical wish-granting model and beneficiary segment to Make-A-Wish Singapore, though smaller scale and UK geography.
Direct peers
- Children's Cancer Foundation (Singapore): Singapore-based charity supporting children with cancer and their families; directly comparable beneficiary profile and Singapore nonprofit fundraising model, though focused on financial/emotional support rather than wish experiences.
- Make-A-Wish Malaysia: Regional Make-A-Wish affiliate operating in Malaysia; directly comparable wish-granting model, beneficiary profile (children with critical illnesses), and fundraising playbook. Closest geographic peer.
- Club Rainbow Singapore: Singapore charity supporting children with chronic illnesses and their families; comparable beneficiary segment (chronically/critically ill children), Singapore fundraising context, and reliance on volunteer and corporate partner networks.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities Singapore: Singapore chapter of the global Ronald McDonald House Charities serving families with sick children; comparable target beneficiary (families of critically ill children) and corporate-anchored fundraising model.
- Make-A-Wish Hong Kong: Regional Make-A-Wish affiliate in Hong Kong; near-identical operational model, target beneficiary (critically ill children), and Asian corporate-partner ecosystem (e.g., aviation, entertainment brands).
Broad incumbents
- Make-A-Wish Foundation (global): Global parent organisation of the Make-A-Wish network; directly comparable mission, brand, and wish-granting model. Make-A-Wish Singapore is an independently governed affiliate within this network, granting wishes under the shared 500,000+ global wishes franchise.
- Starlight Children's Foundation: Global children's charity focused on seriously ill children through wish-like experiences and hospital entertainment programmes; comparable mission and beneficiary segment at global scale.
Regional players
- Singapore Children's Society: Established Singapore children's charity with broader child welfare scope (including children with special needs and at-risk youth); comparable Singapore operating context, IPC status, and corporate fundraising model, though broader mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Make-A-Wish® Singapore social profiles
Digital presenceMake-A-Wish® Singapore financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Make-A-Wish® Singapore leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Make-A-Wish® Singapore funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Make-A-Wish® Singapore 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® Singapore
What does Make-A-Wish® Singapore do?
Make-A-Wish Singapore grants wishes to children aged 3-18 with critical illnesses in Singapore. The core service involves volunteer wish granters visiting wish families to understand the child's wish and then coordinating with a network of partners to bring the wish to life. The organization operates as a registered charity funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events.
Is Make-A-Wish® Singapore a public or private company?
Make-A-Wish® Singapore is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Make-A-Wish® Singapore founded?
Make-A-Wish® Singapore was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Make-A-Wish® Singapore based?
Make-A-Wish® Singapore is headquartered in Singapore, Singapore, in the Asia region.
How does Make-A-Wish® Singapore make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship, charity Events and legacy Giving.
Who are Make-A-Wish® Singapore's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are KidzWish (Singapore) and Dreams Come True (UK). Direct peers are Children's Cancer Foundation (Singapore), Make-A-Wish Malaysia, Club Rainbow Singapore, Ronald McDonald House Charities Singapore and Make-A-Wish Hong Kong. Broad incumbents are Make-A-Wish Foundation (global) and Starlight Children's Foundation. Singapore Children's Society is listed as a regional player.
Does Make-A-Wish® Singapore have an API?
No public API is recorded for Make-A-Wish® Singapore.
What industry is Make-A-Wish® Singapore in?
Make-A-Wish® Singapore's product category is Children's Wish Granting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAAAIAO, Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children, with a secondary code of HSAAAIAC, Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.