Mission Statement:We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

General: The Make-A-Wish Foundation® is the largest wish-granting organization in the world with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories and 33 international affiliates spanning five continents. The Metro New York chapter is one of the busiest Make-A-Wish® chapters in the country, based on the number of wishes granted and operating budget.

Founded: On April 29, 1980 in Phoenix, a young boy with leukemia realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. His dream served as the inspiration for the largest wish-granting organization in the world. He was given a custom-made uniform, helmet and badge and spent the day as a police officer. The Metro New York chapter, which serves the five boroughs of New York City and Nassau County, Long Island, began in 1983 when 13 volunteers joined together to grant the wish of 7-year-old Steven, whose heartfelt wish was to meet Daisy Duke (actress Catherine Bach) of the popular “Dukes of Hazzard” television show. Ms. Bach's visit to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center was contagious... a new local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation was born – based in Lake Success, Long Island with a field office in Manhattan.

Wishes Granted: The Metro New York chapter has granted more than 6,500 wishes (and counting) since its founding. In Fiscal Year 2009, the Foundation granted 510 wishes and hosted another 256 children from Make-A-Wish chapters around the world whose wishes involved travel to New York City. This equates to one wish every 11 hours.

Wish Referrals: Most referrals are made by parents or guardians, members of the medical community or children themselves. Medical eligibility is determined by the child’s primary care physician, who must sign a medical authorization.

Funding: Funding comes from individual contributions, special events, corporate donations and sponsorships, foundation grants, workplace giving programs and planned gifts. According to its fiscal year 2009 audit results, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York spent 81% of its revenue on wish granting and related program expenses. Only 11% was spent on administrative costs and 9% was allocated to fundraising.

Standards: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York meets Better Business Bureau Standards for charitable solicitations as of the FY09 review; and was one of the first charities in New York State to qualify to use the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance seal. Make-A-Wish policy prohibits telemarketing and door-to-door solicitations. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is featured in America’s Greatest Brands, a hardcover book which profiles leading companies from a brand marketing perspective each year.