Giving
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois offers a number of ways for those interested to support our program. Support from individuals, corporations, community groups and foundations is critical to the success of the Foundation and enables us to grant fun-filled, worry-free wishes for our wish children.
Please contact our Development Team at 1-800-978-9474 with questions about these or other giving opportunities and we will be happy to assist you!
Tributes and Memorials
A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation can be the perfect way to commemorate birthdays or anniversaries, celebrate births or remember a recently deceased friend or relative. Instead of sending a promotional or holiday gift to each of your customers, send a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the name of that special person. A minimum of $15 per gift is suggested. We will send a special card to the person you designate telling them of your generosity. Please call the Foundation at 1-800-978-WISH (9474) for more information. Discover Card, Visa, American Express and MasterCard accepted.
Adopt-A-Wish
With a gift of $5,000 you will help to fund the wish of a special child. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois will include that child’s story and photos (when available) as part of the acknowledgement of that donation. Call 1-800-978-WISH (9474) to find out more.
Monthly Giving Club
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has created a monthly Automatic Donation Program that allows you to donate directly from your bank account or credit card. More information is available by contacting the Make-A-Wish Foundation at 800.978.WISH (9474).
Employee Giving
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois can be the beneficiary of your company’s employee giving campaign. For more information or to request a speaker for your kickoff event, call 1-800-978-9474. Federal and state government employees may also contribute to the Foundation. Please make note that the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) code for the Make-A-Wish Foundation is new for the 2007 campaign. The designated code is #11375.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation will be listed under the Children's First Federation of America's Charities.
Special Events
- Many local companies, community groups and schools host events to benefit Make-A-Wish. Find out how to get started by calling 1.800.978.9474 to request your event kit today.
- Become a sponsor of one of our signature events – Wish Ball, Annual Golf Outing, Pedal for Wishes or Radiothon. Contact Debbie Purcell at 312.602.9424 or Purcell@wishes.org to find out about available opportunities.
Kids for Wish Kids / WishMakers on Campus
Kids for Wish Kids
Project Ideas (pdf)
WishMakers on Campus
How Your College Can Help
Grant Wishes (pdf)
Planned Giving
Planned giving is an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of children within the context of your overall financial plan. The Make-A-Wish Foundation can accept gifts of cash; gifts of stocks, bonds and other securities; bequests; charitable remainder trusts; charitable lead trusts; gifts of life insurance and some other types of planned gifts. For more information, please call 1-800-978-WISH (9474).
Matching Gifts
Matching gifts are not just for higher education any more. A wider range of non-profits are eligible now. Contact your company's human resource department to see if the Make-A-Wish Foundation qualifies for a company matched gift.
Send-A-Wish Holiday Card Program
Designed as a great way for coporate donors to give their clients and employees a meaningful gift each holiday season while helping wishes to come true. A donation of $20 per card will enable your company to be a part of helping make wishes come true. For $5000, 250 of your recipeients will receive information about the specific wish your gift has funded. For more information contact HolidayCard@wishes.org or download our PDF of order form to come.
Frequent Flier Miles
Miles are always needed to help grant the hundreds of travel wishes granted to local children each year. Most airlines and hotels allow members of their loyalty programs to transfer points and miles to charity. To find out how to help Make-A-Wish with your frequent flier miles visit http://www.wish.org/home/giving_airline.htm.
Executives for Make-A-Wish
The Executives for Make-A-Wish Network provides executives in mid-market companies an opportunity to network with peers and experience the business and personal benefits of partnering with a not-for-profit while supporting their own philanthropic goals. Each executive pledges to join for three years and make an annual contribution allowing Make-A-Wish to grant the wish of a local child. In addition to VIP invitations to the many events held by Make-A-Wish each year, members of the Executives for Make-A-Wish Network are invited to periodic business forums that provide opportunities to meet other successful individuals and learn how they have activated their philanthropic partnerships to achieve business goals while giving back to the community. For information, please contact us at 312.602.9474 or info@wishes.org
Wishes Without End Endowment
Help the Foundation grant wishes in perpetuity by making a donation to the Wishes Without End Endowment
Team Make-A-Wish
Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Join Team Make-A-Wish for 26.2 miles, and raise money to help Share the Power of a Wish®. The Make-A-Wish Foundation offers our runners great amenities, including a pasta party, singlets, a discounted training program, a tent in charity village, and more! Please visit www.teammakeawish.com for more information and to sign-up to run with Team Make-A-Wish!
Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Illinois exceeds the Better Business Bureau guidelines by spending more than 79 cents of each dollar directly on wishes!
