History

It all started with a single wish…

Make-A-Wish traces its inspiration to Christopher James Greicius, an energetic 7-year-old boy battling leukemia who wishes to be a police officer. In 1980, his Phoenix community came together to make his wish come true. Little did Chris know that his wish would create a movement that would transform millions of lives.

Today, Make-A-Wish has been granting life-changing wishes for children and families for over 40 years. After the start of Make-A-Wish in 1980 in the United States, Make-A-Wish International was officially formed in 1993 to serve five countries outside the U.S. – and now helps to serve children outside the United States in 50 countries on 6 continents through its 40 Affiliates.

With the help of our donors and more than 27,000 volunteers around the world, Make-A-Wish has collectively granted more than 585,000 wishes worldwide.

As a global community, we are focused on the impact of a wish in every phase of the Wish Journey. Wishes have proven physical and emotional benefits that can give children with critical illnesses a higher chance of survival. And wishes not only help these children – they also have far-reaching, positive impacts on their families and communities. In other words, wishes are the driving force behind all we do because, put simply, wish experiences transform lives.

Thank you to his mother, Linda Pauling, the Greicius family and the founders for their tireless dedication to our mission!

Donate today and bring waiting wishes to life

Donate today and bring waiting wishes to life

Timeline

1980

Chris Greicius’ wish to be a police officer is granted. His wish inspires the creation of Make-A-Wish.

1983

Make-A-Wish Foundation of America is incorporated. President Ronald Reagan grants the first presidential wish to Amy.

1985

The “Stephanie in the Snow” video inspires the establishment of more chapters.

1988

Reader’s Digest article, “They Bring Joy to Sick Kids,” generates international awareness of Make-A-Wish.

1990

Make-A-Wish celebrates its 10th birthday and 10,000 wishes granted. Make-A-Wish receives the Citation for Volunteer Action Award from President George H.W. Bush

1993

Make-A-Wish International is formed to serve countries outside of the U.S.
1996: The Make-A-Wish website, wish.org, goes live.

2000

Make-A-Wish now serves every community in the U.S. Wishbone logo is replaced with a swirl and star logo. Over 75,000 wishes granted.

2004

Make-A-Wish selected as one of “America’s Greatest Brands.”

2010

First World Wish Day is celebrated around the world. Over 198,000 wishes granted.

2018

Make-A-Wish unveils brand refresh and establishes a permanent headquarters

2024

Make-A-Wish has granted more than 585,000 wishes, with the support of more than 27,000 volunteers globally.

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

To grant the wish of every eligible child.

Our values serve as the map to attain our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child.

They are a clear guide to our priorities, and lead the way in everything we do.

Child Focus:
We always put wish children first.
Integrity:
We are honest, transparent and respectful.
Impact:
We deliver life-changing work.
Innovation:
We are bold, imaginative and creative.
Community:
We are a diverse group of people working together towards a common goal.

OUR VISION FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Together, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse culture that celebrates and values all the voices and cultures of our children and our communities worldwide. We know that our wish children and the wishes we grant are unique, and we promote our colleagues, volunteers, and communities to embrace their own uniqueness so they can be their authentic self, empowering them to grant the wishes of every eligible child.

Our Mission

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Our Vision

To grant the wish of every eligible child.

Our Values

Our values serve as the map to attain our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child. They are a clear guide to our priorities, and lead the way in everything we do.

  • Child Focus: We always put wish children first.
  • Integrity: We are honest, transparent and respectful.
  • Impact: We deliver life-changing work.
  • Innovation: We are bold, imaginative and creative.
  • Community: We are a diverse group of people working together towards a common goal.
Diversity & Inclusion

At Make-A-Wish® International, diversity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we will continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our wish children, families, volunteers, supporters, and employees.

When we say we want to grant the wish of every eligible child, we mean it. And to do that, we want to foster an environment that is diverse and inclusive. They are the key drivers of creativity and innovation that will enable our wish children and families to reap the maximum benefit of a wish.

Donate today and bring waiting wishes to life

Donate today and bring waiting wishes to life

Around the World

Around the World

After the start of Make-A-Wish in 1980 in the United States, Make-A-Wish International was officially formed in 1993 to serve five countries outside the U.S. – and now helps to serve children outside the United States in 50 countries and territories on 6 continents through its 40 Affiliates. Click the dots below to check the list of our affiliates.

World map with Europe marked. Drawn by maix (Marian Sigler)
East & Southeast Asia Oceania Europe North & Central America South America Central Asia & Middle East

Make-A-Wish India: www.makeawishindia.org
Make-A-Wish Hong Kong: www.makeawish.org.hk
Make-A-Wish Japan: www.mawj.org
Make-A-Wish Korea: www.wish.or.kr
Make-A-Wish Malaysia: makeawish.org.my

Make-A-Wish Philippines: www.makeawish.org.ph
Make-A-Wish Shanghai: www.makeawish-china.com
Make-A-Wish Singapore: www.makeawish.org.sg
Make-A-Wish Taiwan: www.mawtpe.org.tw

Make-A-Wish Israel: http://www.makeawish.org.il/
Make-A-Wish Pakistan: http://www.makeawish.org.pk/
Make-A-Wish Turkey: http://www.birdilektut.org/
Make-A-Wish United Arab Emirates: https://makeawish.ae/

Make-A-Wish Australia: www.makeawish.org.au
Make-A-Wish New Zealand: www.makeawish.org.nz
Make-A-Wish Pacific Islands: makeawishpacific.org

Make-A-Wish Canada: www.makeawish.ca
Make-A-Wish Mexico: makeawish.mx
Make-A-Wish Panama: www.makeawishpanama.org
Make-A-Wish United States of America: www.wish.org

Make-A-Wish Argentina: www.makeawish.org.ar
Make-A-Wish Brazil: www.makeawish.org.br
Make-A-Wish Chile: www.makeawish.cl
Make-A-Wish Peru: makeawishperu.org
Make-A-Wish Colombia: www.makeawishco.org

Make-A-Wish Austria: www.make-a-wish.at
Make-A-Wish Belgium South: www.makeawishsud.be
Make-A-Wish Belgium-Vlaanderen: www.makeawish.be
Make-A-Wish Denmark: www.makeawish.dk
Make-A-Wish France: www.makeawishfrance.org
Make-A-Wish Germany: www.makeawish.de
Make-A-Wish Greece: www.makeawish.gr
Make-A-Wish Ireland: www.makeawish.ie
Make-A-Wish Italy: www.makeawish.it
Make-A-Wish Netherlands: makeawishnederland.org
Make-A-Wish Norway: makeawishnorge.no
Make-A-Wish Portugal: www.makeawish.pt
Make-A-Wish Spain: www.makeawishspain.org
Make-A-Wish Switzerland and Liechtenstein: www.makeawish.ch
Make-A-Wish United Kingdom: www.make-a-wish.org.uk
North & Central America
Make-A-Wish Canadawww.makeawish.ca
Make-A-Wish Mexicomakeawish.mx
Make-A-Wish Panamawww.makeawishpanama.org
Make-A-Wish United States of Americawww.wish.org
South America
Make-A-Wish Argentinawww.makeawish.org.ar
Make-A-Wish Brazilwww.makeawish.org.br
Make-A-Wish Chilewww.makeawish.cl
Make-A-Wish Perumakeawishperu.org
Make-A-Wish Colombiawww.makeawishco.org
Europe
Make-A-Wish Austria: www.make-a-wish.at
Make-A-Wish Belgium South: www.makeawishsud.be
Make-A-Wish Belgium-Vlaanderen: www.makeawish.be
Make-A-Wish Denmark: www.makeawish.dk
Make-A-Wish France: www.makeawishfrance.org
Make-A-Wish Germany: www.makeawish.de
Make-A-Wish Greece: www.makeawish.gr
Make-A-Wish Ireland: www.makeawish.ie
Make-A-Wish Italy: www.makeawish.it
Make-A-Wish Netherlands: makeawishnederland.org
Make-A-Wish Norway: makeawishnorge.no
Make-A-Wish Portugal: www.makeawish.pt
Make-A-Wish Spain: www.makeawishspain.org
Make-A-Wish Switzerland and Liechtenstein: www.makeawish.ch
Make-A-Wish United Kingdom: www.make-a-wish.org.uk
East & Southeast Asia

Make-A-Wish Indiawww.makeawishindia.org
Make-A-Wish Hong Kongwww.makeawish.org.hk
Make-A-Wish Japanwww.mawj.org
Make-A-Wish Koreawww.wish.or.kr
Make-A-Wish Malaysiamakeawish.org.my
Make-A-Wish Philippineswww.makeawish.org.ph
Make-A-Wish Shanghaiwww.makeawish-china.comMake-A-Wish Singaporewww.makeawish.org.sg
Make-A-Wish Taiwanwww.mawtpe.org.tw

Central Asia & Middle East
Make-A-Wish Israelwww.makeawish.org.il
Make-A-Wish Pakistanwww.makeawish.org.pk
Make-A-Wish Turkeywww.birdilektut.org
Make-A-Wish United Arab Emiratesmakeawish.ae
Oceania
Make-A-Wish Australiawww.makeawish.org.au
Make-A-Wish New Zealandwww.makeawish.org.nz
Make-A-Wish Pacific Islandsmakeawishpacific.org

A Wish Is Hope. Will You Help?

A Wish Is Hope. Will You Help?

Your tax deductible donation can transform wish kids’ lives.

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