Disable all preview features

Health : Patient and Family Support

Make-A-Wish America

Transform lives, one wish at a time.

three stars

81.77

1702 E. Highland Avenue Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85012
tel: (602) 279-9474   Web Site
EIN: 86-0481941

Board Leadership
David Clark
Chair

CEO
Richard K. Davis
President & CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 81.77 three stars
  Financial 75.19 two stars
  Accountability & Transparency 93.00 four stars
This rating was published 11/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish® vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. In the United States and its territories, on average, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. We believe a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides us and inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve.

"Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses." - Make-A-Wish® Mission

Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish® vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. In the United States and its territories, on average, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. We believe a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides us and inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve.

"Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses." - Make-A-Wish® Mission

Impact Information

data icon
GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly sharing information about how they measure their progress and results.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Reported Results
Total in 2018
Number of eligible clients who report having access to an adequate array of services and supports
15,615
This organization has earned a GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by voluntarily sharing the measures of progress and results they use to pursue their mission. Organizations earn Platinum Seals by selecting from a catalog of over 900 expert recognized metrics or by creating a new metric that best fits their work. This information is reported by the organization and displayed publicly on their GuideStar Nonprofit Profile. With over 1.6 million Nonprofit Profiles, 9 million annual visitors and over 200 data partners, GuideStar is the world's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit itself, GuideStar is dedicated to providing better data for better decisions for a better world.
This impact information is current as of September 2019, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

two stars

75.19

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

93.00

This rating was published 11/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 73.8%
  Administrative Expenses 11.2%
  Fundraising Expenses 14.8%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.17
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.34
  Program Expenses Growth 5.9%
  Liabilities to Assets 44.1%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Make-A-Wish America on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Joint Cost Allocation Adjustment applied. Learn more.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Make-A-Wish America on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Make-A-Wish America (AZ) 81.77 three stars
Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties (CA) 87.62 three stars
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hawaii (HI) 90.63 four stars
Cal's All Star Angel Foundation Inc. (IL) 95.19 four stars
Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire (NH) 85.96 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $82,706,985
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $82,706,985
   Program Service Revenue $8,707,460
Total Primary Revenue $91,414,445
   Other Revenue $5,494,936
TOTAL REVENUE $96,909,381
   
EXPENSES (Adjusted)  
   Program Expenses $73,449,115
   Administrative Expenses $13,389,695
   Fundraising Expenses $14,955,998
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $101,794,808
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-4,885,427
   
Net Assets $43,331,495

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Wish Granting $75,597,652 100.0%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-08 11/01/2019 81.77 three stars
2017-08 04/01/2019 84.09 three stars
2017-08 08/01/2018 82.72 three stars
2016-08 10/01/2017 87.05 three stars
2015-08 10/01/2016 86.51 three stars
2014-08 06/01/2016 88.65 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-08 10/01/2015 87.03 three stars
2013-08 11/01/2014 81.31 three stars
2012-08 09/01/2013 83.21 three stars
2011-08 08/01/2012 88.36 three stars
2010-08 12/23/2011 91.41 four stars
2010-08 09/20/2011 90.66 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-08 10/01/2010 90.07 four stars
2008-08 10/01/2009 84.87 three stars
2007-08 10/01/2008 84.86 three stars
2006-08 07/01/2007 87.51 three stars
2005-08 10/01/2006 84.93 three stars
2004-08 05/01/2005 75.15 two stars
2003-08 06/01/2004 73.14 two stars
2002-08 06/09/2003 82.05 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 86-0481941
Name in IRS Master File MAKE- A- WISH FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
NTEE Code [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Classification [Not Provided by IRS]
NTEE Type [Not Provided by IRS]
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (259) Other mutual organization
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date June, 1986
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End August
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • August, 2017
  • August, 2016
  • August, 2015
  • August, 2014
  • August, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
None reported -- This organization did not report a CEO
Other Salaries of Note
$587,062 0.57% David Williams Former President & CEO

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Make-A-Wish America (AZ) 81.77 three stars
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nebraska (NE) 93.28 four stars
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeastern California and Northern Nevada (CA) 87.91 three stars
Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana (TX) 92.33 four stars
Dream Factory (KY) 92.63 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Make-A-Wish America
1702 E. Highland Avenue
Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85012
tel: (602) 279-9474
fax: (602) 279-0855
EIN: 86-0481941

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

David Clark
Chair

CEO

Richard K. Davis
President & CEO

please wait...

    • I want to donate to Make-A-Wish America

      $
      next

    • Frequency

      back
      next

    • Would you like us to email someone and CC you?

      This email identifies you as the donor but does not specify the amount of your gift.
      back
    A donation of to has been added to your Giving Basket!

    Basket Total:
    Check Out Now or Continue Researching

Join Our Mailing List

Join over 400,000 other informed givers and get updates on charity ratings, new features, hot topics, and tips for donating.

As seen on