Hosting A Fundraiser
Thinking of hosting a fundraising event, benefit or party? Choose Make-A-Wish® Illinois as the beneficiary and help grant wishes for local children. Make-A-Wish will assist where appropriate with promotional support, volunteer assistance and other event details.
Event hosts vary from individuals, companies and corporations, kids groups, community groups and more. Events include, but are not limited to, sporting events such as golf or fishing tournaments, silent auctions, percentage of sales, grand openings and much more.
The following information will help you get started on planning an event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Illinois. When you are ready to begin planning, be sure to download our External Event Fundraising Packet for all of the forms that you will need.Contact Adam Shukwit, shukwit@wishes.org or 312.602.9429 with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fundraising:
Q. Who can run an event to benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois?
A. Anyone! Any individual or group (employees of a corporation, school/university organization, religious group, etc.) can host an event as long as it is approved in advance by Make-A-Wish Illinois.
Q. How do I get approval to host an event?
A. Complete, sign and return the Special Event Form and License Agreement (located in the External Event Fundraising Packet). Please allow two weeks for the office to receive and process your event.
Q. What kinds of events do people hold?
A. From golf outings to bowl-a-thons, wine tastings, sports tournaments and motorcyle runs, just about any event can be a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish.
Q. Is there a minimum donation required to host a fundraiser?
A. There is no minimum amount required to host a fundraiser. However, the amount of logistical support and materials you can expect to receive from Make-A-Wish will depend on the committment to raise a certain level of proceeds. The use of the Make-A-Wish logo is reserved for events with an approved licensing agreement that will raise $5,000 or more.
Q. I want to publicize this event through media outlets in my community. Is that okay?
A. Yes, we want you to get the word out about your event so it will be successful. All publicity materials (posters, invitations, email announcements, press releases, etc.) need to be approved by your Make-A-Wish contact prior to print and distribution.
Q. Can I solicit organizations, companies, stores, etc. outside Illinois for donations, auction items or sponsorships for my event?
A. We ask that you refrain from soliciting organizations/companies/stores whose corporate offices are headquartered outside of the state of Illinois. Make-A-Wish chapters are located throughout the United States and we do not want to impede on the territories of other chapters, thus distracting them from their fundraising abilities. Exceptions are occasionally made, so please check with your Make-A-Wish representative on a case-by-case basis.
Q. Can Make-A-Wish help me get a celebrity to attend my event?
A. As wonderful as it would be to have a celebrity attend all of the events that take place to benefit the Make-A-Wish Illinois, we reserve the contacting of celebrities for wish granting purposes in the hopes that they will donate their valuable time to make our children's wishes come true.
Q. Where does the money raised at my event go?
A. The proceeds from your event go toward our mission of granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength, and joy. If your event raises $6,000, the funds will "adopt" a specific child's fondest wish! To learn more about our Adopt-A-Wish program, please click here.
There is never a waiting list for a wish. All eligible children can begin the wish process as soon as the child and family are ready.
