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Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible to receive a wish?
- Is a family’s income considered?
- If our family accepts a wish, are we taking an opportunity away from another child?
- What do most children wish for?
- Is the family included in the wish?
- Are there restrictions on a wish?
- How are wishes fulfilled?
- What is the average cost of a wish?
- Does the family have to contribute toward the wish?
- How are wishes paid for?
About Supporting Wishes
- How can I make a contribution to Make–A–Wish Foundation of San Diego?
- How can I help to raise funds to support wishes?
- Are there other ways I can help to support wishes?
- What are your sources of funding?
- Does the Make–A–Wish Foundation use telemarketing?
- Is my contribution tax–deductible?
- Does Make–A–Wish Foundation of San Diego, Inc., meet the Better Business Bureau Charity Standards?
About Referring a Child
- How is a child referred for a wish?
- Who can refer a child?
- Is a child who has already received a wish from another wish–granting organization eligible for a Make–A–Wish Foundation wish?
- Does the family’s financial status matter?
- Can we count on Make–A–Wish Foundation to protect the child’s privacy?
For Parents and Families
- Does accepting a wish mean that we’re giving up hope for our child’s recovery?
- Are families reluctant to accept a wish because it feels like taking charity?
- If our family can afford to pay for our child’s wish, will accepting a wish be unfair to less fortunate families?
- How is my child’s wish determined?
- Who pays for our child’s wish?
- Will my family’s privacy be respected?
- How do I determine if my child is eligible for a wish?
- How do I refer my child for a wish?
Who is eligible to receive a wish?
Children over the age of 2 1/2, and under the age of 18, at the time of referral, who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition are eligible to receive a wish. The child’s treating physician makes the final determination of whether a child’s medical condition qualifies him or her for a wish. A child who has already been granted a wish by any wish-granting organization is not eligible for a second wish.
Is a family’s income considered?
The income or financial resources of a family play no part in determining a child’s eligibility for a wish.
If our family accepts a wish, are we taking an opportunity away from another child?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego does not have a waiting list; every qualifying child will receive a wish.
What do most children wish for?
Wishes reflect the heartfelt desire of a child. A wish may be for something grand and complex or it may be for something simple and basic. Most wish requests fall into four major categories:
- I wish to go… some kids want to travel to their favorite theme park, while others want to visit an exotic beach, go on a cruise, see snow for the first time, or attend a major sporting event or concert.
- I wish to be… children search the depths of their imaginations when they wish to be someone for a day – a fireman, a police officer, or a model, for instance.
- I wish to meet… many children want to meet their favorite athlete, musician, television personality, movie star, cartoon character, politician, or public figure.
- I wish to have… children often wish for a special gift, like a computer, a playhouse, a shopping spree, or something they have coveted for a long time.
Is the family included in the wish?
Every effort is made to include the child’s immediate family in the wish experience.
Are there restrictions on a wish?
Make-A-Wish tries to insure that a wish is age appropriate and the child’s own heartfelt desire, expressed in his or her own words. We discourage wishes that appear to be initiated by a need of the family or a need of the medical treatment, rather than the spontaneous and joyful impulse of a child. Serious safety or legal concerns may also prevent us from granting certain wishes.
How are wishes fulfilled?
Volunteer wish granters work with staff to coordinate the details of each child’s wish… making sure it is a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience as unique as the child who wished for it. Once a child’s medical eligibility is confirmed, two wish granters will contact and visit with the child and family. The child’s wish journey begins with the opportunity to envision his or her most heartfelt desire as our volunteers ask: “If you could have anything you wanted… go anywhere… meet anyone… have anything, what would it be?” Inviting a child to imagine happiness in the midst of a difficult time is an important part of the life-enhancing wish experience.
What is the average cost of a wish?
The average cost of granting a wish in the San Diego chapter is $7,000. This varies, as the wishes themselves vary from a Barbie bicycle with special accessories, to a dream of seeing the castles of Europe. Once we know a child’s most heartfelt wish, we focus on creating an experience that most closely matches his or her expectations.
Does the family have to contribute toward the wish?
Wish expenses are fully covered by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This can include travel expenses, lodging, meals, and even spending money. Our objective is to provide the child and family with memories of joy that are not clouded by monetary worries.
How are wishes paid for?
Funding for wishes comes from individual donations, as well as from special events, local schools, corporate donations and sponsorships, foundation grants, workplace giving programs, and planned gifts. Each Make-A-Wish chapter is responsible for raising and managing the funds needed to grant the wishes of children within it’s area.
How can I make a contribution to the Make–A–Wish Foundation of San Diego?
Contributions can be made by mail, by telephone or on–line.
Visit the Giving page of our website to learn more.
How can I help to raise funds to support wishes?
There are many ways to help fund wishes. Whether you are a corporate CEO considering sponsorship of a major event or a third grade student coordinating a class project, our staff will provide the information and support you need. Please browse through our Giving section and consider the many options we offer for corporate, individual, and student involvement.
Are there other ways I can help to support wishes?
Make–A–Wish Foundation offers opportunities to join our work in various volunteer capacities. We offer programs for students and schools and we can help you to initiate workplace giving at your place of business.
What are your sources of funding?
The work of Make–A–Wish Foundation of San Diego, Inc. is funded entirely by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations and by monies raised through special events. We also rely on ’in–kind’ contributions of goods and services to defray costs of wish granting and fund raising. We do not use – or permit others to use on our behalf – telephone marketing, door–to–door solicitations, or similar fundraising approaches.
Does the Make–A–Wish Foundation use telemarketing?
Make–A–Wish Foundation does not use – or permit others to use on our behalf – telemarketing, door–to–door solicitations, or similar fundraising approaches.
Is my contribution tax–deductible?
Make–A–Wish Foundation of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) tax–exempt organization; and all contributions are tax–deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Does Make–A–Wish Foundation of San Diego meet the Better Business Bureau’s Charity Standards?
Yes, Make–A–Wish Foundation of San Diego, Inc. meets Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Solicitations. It is one of the first charities in San Diego to qualify to use the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance seal. To obtain a report from the BBB, contact them at www.sandiego.bbb.org
How is a child referred for a wish?
There are several ways to refer a child to the Make–A–Wish Foundation. You can call the San Diego Chapter offices at (858) 707–WISH. Referrals can be made online via our National site (www.wish.org) or referral forms can be faxed (medical personnel only) to (858) 707-9480.
Who can refer a child?
Eligible children can be referred by a parent or legal guardian or by a medical professional involved in their care. We also accept self–referrals by children who contact us directly.
Is a child who has already received a wish from another wish–granting organization eligible for a Make–A–Wish Foundation wish?
Children who have had previous wishes granted by the Make–A–Wish Foundation or by other wish–granting organizations are not eligible for a second wish.
Does the family’s financial status matter?
No. It is only the child’s medical condition that determines eligibility for a wish. We understand that even financially comfortable families have neither the time nor the emotional energy to plan their child’s wish experience or a dream vacation while meeting the demands of medical treatment schedules and other day–to–day demands of their child’s illness. And sometimes a child’s wish is for something money cannot buy . . . meeting a favorite celebrity, becoming CEO for a day, or carrying the Olympic torch.
Can we count on Make–A–Wish Foundation to protect the child’s privacy?
Make–A–Wish Foundation respects the privacy of the children and families it serves. All medical information is considered confidential and is not discussed with outside parties unless it is required for the wish and the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s) have given their consent.
Does accepting a wish mean that we’re giving up hope for our child’s recovery?
Make–A–Wish Foundation has sometimes been incorrectly portrayed as an organization that grants wishes only to children who are dying. Our eligibility criteria stipulate that a child must be diagnosed with a life–threatening medical condition, not a terminal condition. The process of making a wish is life–affirming and full of hope. For many children a wish experience becomes a turning point, renewing their courage and determination to fight for a future. Our wish children who are now adults would attest to this!
Are families reluctant to accept a wish because it feels like taking charity?
There are several reasons why a family might hesitate to call us. A family might feel, for example, that they could grant a wish for their child themselves. We have found, however, that a family simply does not plan a fantasy vacation or event when challenged by a life–threatening medical condition with its intense and disruptive treatment schedules and extreme stresses.
If our family can afford to pay for our child’s wish, will accepting a wish be unfair to less fortunate families?
All medically qualified children are eligible for a wish, regardless of their income. Even if a family can afford to fund the wish themselves, we seek to bring elements of surprise, magic, and fun to the wish experience that many families could not achieve. We have never had to turn a wish down because of a lack of funds, and take pride in fulfilling a wish for every eligible child, regardless of race, or economic status.
How is my child’s wish determined?
Once a child’s eligibility for a wish is confirmed, our wish–granting volunteers will schedule a time to meet with you and your child to determine his or her wish. Our volunteers are specially trained to help your child explore the different types of wishes and to identify her or his most heartfelt wish. This initial part of a child’s Make–A–Wish experience can generate hopeful expectation and give your child something to look forward to.
Who pays for our child’s wish?
Make–A–Wish Foundation covers the entire cost of your child’s wish. There is no cost to the family.
Will my family’s privacy be respected?
Make–A–Wish Foundation takes great care to guard the privacy of the children and families we serve. Your child’s medical information is considered confidential and is not discussed with outside parties unless it is required for the wish. Your consent is required before we can obtain or share any information regarding your child or your family.
How do I determine if my child is eligible for a wish?
If your child is between the ages of 2 1/2 and under the age of 18 and has been diagnosed with a life–threatening medical condition (determined by your physician), he or she may be eligible for a wish. The medical professionals working with your child will be able to give you more information. Or you can contact our offices at (858) 707–WISH
How do I refer my child for a wish?
There are several ways to refer a child to the Make–A–Wish Foundation. You can call the San Diego Chapter offices at (858) 707–WISH. Referrals can be made online via our National site (www.wish.org) or referral forms can be faxed (medical personnel only) to (858) 707-9480.