About Us
Our Mission
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Beginnings
The Make-A-Wish Foundation was inspired in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona, by a 7-year-old boy named Chris, who had Leukemia. Chris dreamed of becoming a police officer for a day and, thanks to his family and friends in the state highway patrol, his wish came true. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was created in his memory, enabling his legacy to live on in the more than 185,000 wishes that have been granted since, a wish every 40 minutes.
Wishes
When the volunteer team visits the child and asks, “If you could have one wish, what would it be?” the wishes generally fall into one of four categories:
- I wish to go…
- I wish to meet…
- I wish to have…
- I wish to be…
Local Chapter
Since its inception in 1983, the Suffolk Chapter has granted over 1,900 wishes to local children. In the past year alone, we granted over 125 wishes. Your continued support allowed us to grant the very special wishes of children such as: Patrick, age 10, who wished to meet Smarty Jones the racehorse; Mariette, age 4, who wished to have a playset; Michael, age 13, who wished to have his room redecorated; Danielle, age 13, who wished to meet the Jonas Brothers!
National Affiliation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is the largest wish-granting charity in the world with 65 chapters in the United States and 30 international affiliates on five continents.
Wish Referrals
Eligible children can be referred for a wish by the child, a child’s parent, legal guardian, friend of the family (with permission), medical professional, or social worker.
Volunteers
The Suffolk chapter has over 150 active volunteers. Nationwide, more than 25,000 volunteers donate their time and effort to make the wishes of children come true.
Funding
The Suffolk Chapter is 100% privately funded. Donations from individuals, foundations and corporations, as well as schools, religious, civic and community organizations provide the funding and in-kind resources necessary to create an amazing wish experience for each and every wish child. Other sources include internal and external fundraising activities. Last year, 85% of the funds spent went directly toward wish granting. The average cost of a wish is $6,000.
Financial Information
- Total Support & Revenue ………………….$1,511,239
- Program Expenses……………………………$1,572,021
- Management & General Expenses………….$113,717
- Fundraising Expenses…………………………$166,085
- Fund Balance (net assets)………………….$4,041,515
Of each dollar spent in 2008, 85 cents went directly to granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. To view a PDF document of our most recent IRS Form 990/990EZ, please click here.
2008 Expenses by Function
85% Program Services
9% Fundraising
6% Administrative Costs
*Upon request, a copy of the most recent annual report may be obtained from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, NY, Inc. at 1 Comac Loop, Suite 1A1, Ronkonkoma, NY, 11779, or from the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, NY, NY 10271.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County does not engage in any telemarketing in order to raise funds. If you are called by someone purporting to be from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, please call us at 631-585-WISH (9474).
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is in no way connected to an unauthorized chain letter encouraging people to send business cards to Craig Shergold, a seriously-ill boy, to an Atlanta address or forwarding emails regarding Amy Bruce. If you receive such a chain letter, please call the sender and discourage their participation. For further information on the Craig Shergold or Amy Bruce legend, please visit our website at http://www.wish.org/home/chainletters.htm.
Our Governing Policies and Performance Standards as well as our Conflict of Interest Statement are also available to review. Click the link to view our Financial Statements from the 2008 audit.
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Call, Fax or Mail inquiries to:
Make-A-Wish Foundation
1 Comac Loop, Suite 1A1
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
631-585-9474 * 631-585-0762 (Fax)
For more information visit our global Web site at: http://www.wish.org/
