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Wish FAQ’s


Are there any wishes that the Make-A-Wish Foundation does NOT fulfill?

There are some wishes that the Make-A-Wish Foundation cannot grant, either due to national or local policies, liability, or the fact that it might impact our ability to fulfill the wishes of other children. Here is a partial list of these types of wishes:

  • Gifts of designated sums of money.
  • Motorized vehicles (cars, snowmobiles, go-carts, boats, etc...).
  • Leasing, renting, or purchase of a home or residence.
  • Wishes related to treatment or coverage of medical costs.
  • Wishes involving the gift of or use of firearms, explosives, or weapons.
  • Wishes that involve public solicitation (ex: most birthday cards ever, etc...).
  • Wishes that may create an ongoing financial burden to the family (ex: real estate improvements).

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Who is eligible for a wish?

A child must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a wish:

  • be age 2 ½ through 17 years old (at the time of referral)
  • can be verified by a physician to have a life-threatening medical condition
  • has not previously received a wish from another wish-granting organization

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Are there any wishes that the Make-A-Wish Foundation does NOT fulfill?

There are some wishes that the Make-A-Wish Foundation cannot grant, either due to national or local policies, liability, or the fact that it might impact our ability to fulfill the wishes of other children. Here is a partial list of these types of wishes:

  • Gifts of designated sums of money.
  • Motorized vehicles (cars, snowmobiles, go-carts, boats, etc...).
  • Leasing, renting, or purchase of a home or residence.
  • Wishes related to treatment or coverage of medical costs.
  • Wishes involving the gift of or use of firearms, explosives, or weapons.
  • Wishes that involve public solicitation (ex: most birthday cards ever, etc...).
  • Wishes that may create an ongoing financial burden to the family (ex: real estate improvements).

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Who is eligible for a wish?

A child must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a wish:

  • be age 2 ½ through 17 years old (at the time of referral)
  • can be verified by a physician to have a life-threatening medical condition
  • has not previously received a wish from another wish-granting organization

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Does a child's condition have to be terminal to qualify for a wish?

No. Many of the children who qualify for a wish go on to lead healthy lives. We grant the wishes of medically eligible children (i.e. those diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions - i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child's life in jeopardy.)

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How can I refer a child for a wish?

Out of respect for the privacy of the children and families we serve, children who may be eligible to receive a wish can be referred by one of three sources:

  • Medical professionals treating the child – such as doctors, nurses, social workers or child-life specialists
  • A parent or legal guardian of the potential wish child
  • The potential wish child

For more information, please visit: Make a referral

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What is the average cost of a wish?

Wishes come in all shapes and sizes. Some wishes can be very simple, while others can be quite complex. For example, one child might wish to have a birthday party and another may wish for a vacation that requires travel arrangements for an entire family. Costs can fluctuate drastically from wish to wish, but given these considerations, it averages out to be about $7,200, which includes cash and in-kind resources. In order to Adopt-A-Wish®, you must make a donation of $5,000 to symbolically sponsor a child’s wish. Click here for more information about the Adopt-A-Wish program.

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Are a family’s income or financial resources considered?

No. Family income is not a consideration in determining whether a child is eligible to receive a wish.

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Does the family have to contribute toward the wish?

No. All wish expenses are fully covered, including all travel and spending money when appropriate. The Make-A-Wish Foundation's objective is to create a memorable wish experience for both the child and family that is not clouded by financial concerns.

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What do most children wish for?

Wishes are only limited by a child’s imagination. Generally, most wish requests fall into four categories:

I wish to go… Some Make-A-Wish kids want to travel to their favorite theme park, while others want to visit an exotic beach, go on a cruise, or attend a major sporting event or concert. This is the most popular type of wish we grant.

I wish to meet… Many want to meet their favorite athlete, recording artist, television personality, movie star, politician or public figure.

I wish to have… Children often wish for a special gift, like a computer, a tree house, a shopping spree or something that they have coveted for a long time.

I wish to be… Children search the depths of their imagination when they wish to be someone for a day – a fireman, a police officer or a model.

To read more about wishes, visit the Wishes tab

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Will the child’s family be included in the wish?

Family is a very important part of the wish process, and the volunteer wish granters attempt to make the wish memorable for everyone. Immediate family members living with the child have all shared in the grief of the illness and are invited to share in the joy and memories of a wish experience.

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How is a wish determined?

Once a child’s eligibility for a wish is confirmed, we send one of our enthusiastic wish teams to learn the child’s one true wish. These passionate volunteers connect with wish children and help explore their imaginations for the experience that will delight and inspire them. When a wish team first visits with a child, the volunteers ask a simple question: "If you could have one wish, what would it be?" We hope families will encourage wish children to wish for something that is truly special to them – without the influence of parent or sibling.

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Do you grant wishes to adults?

No. The Make-A-Wish Foundation only grants wishes to children who have been referred to the organization, and determined to be eligible for a wish by their physician, before they turn 18. However, there are other wish-granting organizations that grant wishes to adults.

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