General FAQ

What is the Make-A-Wish Foundation^®?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation helps a child and a family to navigate the stresses of a serious illness by fulfilling one personal, heartfelt wish for the child. The Foundation gives the child a magical, once-in-a-lifetime gift or experience — an interlude of respite and delight in the midst of hospitalizations and treatment schedules, physical limitations, and the fear and disappointments of a life-threatening illness.

What is your vision?
The vision of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is that people everywhere will share the power of a wish^®.

How did the Make-A-Wish Foundation begin?
In 1980, a seven-year-old Phoenix boy with leukemia inspired the founding of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A group of officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety granted his wish to be a police officer by giving him a custom-made uniform, helmet, badge — even a helicopter ride! The young boy’s delight in having his wish granted inspired the group to form an organization which would grant special wishes of other children.

How are you structured?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America was founded to charter local chapters throughout the United States and its territories. Today there are 65 U.S. chapters and we can be found in 33 countries on five continents. Each chapter raises and spends its own funds, serving the children in its own territory. Each chapter also hosts families from other states.

When did your chapter start?
The Central California chapter was incorporated in 1986. It serves eight counties in the Central Valley: Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare.

How many wishes are granted?
This year, our chapter will grant approximately 91 wishes. We also host additional wishes for children from other states visiting Central California for a special wish experience.

How old must a child be to have a wish granted?
A child must be between the ages of 2½ and under 18 at the time of the referral.

What children are eligible?
Children who have been diagnosed by their physician as having a condition that is life-threatening, and who are between two and a half and under eighteen years of age, are eligible for a wish. More detailed guidelines on eligibility are provided to medical professionals on request. Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status.

Who makes a wish referral?
A child may be referred by a healthcare professional, a parent or guardian or the child himself/herself. If the initial call comes from someone other than the parents or guardians, we ask that the parents or guardians be encouraged to call directly on behalf of their own child.

How does someone make a wish referral?
To refer a child, please fill out our referral form in the referral section.

Does the family’s financial status matter?
No, economic background does not affect whether a child is eligible for a wish.

What if a family does not want publicity?
We respect and protect a child’s and family’s right to privacy. Publicity will never be sought without permission, and a family may decline publicity at any time.

Do you sponsor chain letters?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not participate in chain letters, telemarketing, door-to-door solicitation or other direct solicitation of wishes.

Does the Make-A-Wish Foundation telemarket?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not, under any circumstances, engage telemarketers to raise money, despite sometimes being confused with other organizations that do. In fact, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has a nationwide policy against telephone and door-to-door solicitation. There are a number of other sound-alike organizations – some also with “wish” in their names. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has no affiliation with any other wish-granting organization. If you receive a call from someone asking for a donation, that person does not represent the Make-A-Wish Foundation. If you have any additional questions not addressed here, please do not hesitate to contact us at 559-221-9474.