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MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 860726985 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE P58Z · Human Services · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.worldwish.org
revenue
$6.2M
expenses
$6.2M
net assets
$2.8M
employees
3
volunteers
20
program ratio
66%
mission · from form 990

TOGETHER, WE CREATE LIFE-CHANGING WISHES FOR CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES.

profile · synthesized from sources

Make-A-Wish Foundation International is a global nonprofit organization that grants life-changing wishes to children aged 3 to 17 who are living with critical illnesses. Operating in nearly 50 countries, the organization focuses on creating unique wish experiences that provide hope, joy, and resilience to children and their families during challenging times.

named programs · 1 · from sources

what they call their work

Wish Journey
A structured process that includes wish capture, design, anticipation, realization, and effect, aimed at creating a unique and impactful experience for each child.
activities · 2 clusters

what they do

  • Wish Fulfillment for Critically Ill Individuals 4 activities
    • Grant wishes to children with critical illnesses
      Grants wishes to children aged 3 to 17 diagnosed with life-threatening progressive, degenerative, or malignant conditions who have not previously received a wish from Make-A-Wish or a similar organization. The organization has granted over 650,000 wishes worldwide since 1980, including more than 16,000 wishes in FY24 across nearly 50 countries.
    • Granting wishes to children with critical illnesses
      Grants wishes to children aged 3 to 17 diagnosed with life-threatening progressive, degenerative, or malignant conditions who have not previously received a wish from Make-A-Wish or a similar organization. The organization has granted over 650,000 wishes worldwide since 1980, including over 16,000 in FY24, across nearly 50 countries.
    • Support and expand international network of affiliates
      Supports an international network of Affiliates and Licensed Territories in nearly 50 countries and territories by helping them develop resources, administer programs, navigate policies, and advance their brand. Launched Make-A-Wish Tanzania in 2025, the first network member based in Africa.
    • Supporting an international network of affiliates
      Supports an international network of Affiliates and Licensed Territories in almost 50 countries and territories by helping them develop resources, administer programs, navigate policies and guidelines, and advance their brand. This includes launching new affiliates, such as Make-A-Wish Tanzania in 2025.
  • Wish Impact Research and Evaluation 2 activities
    • Conduct research on the impact of wishes
      Published groundbreaking research in 2024 on the impact of wish fulfillment on children with critical illnesses and their families.
    • Conducting research on wish impact
      Publishes research on the impact of wishes on children with critical illnesses and their families, with a ground-breaking study released in 2024.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$6.18M
Contributions & grants$4.43M72%
Program service revenue$1.70M27%
Investment income$50K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$6.21M
Program expenses66%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$2.11M
Grants paid out$1.14M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.71M
Cash$2.86M
Investments$615K
Liabilities$1.90M
Net assets$2.82M
Liquid reserves6.7 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +24.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
LUCIANO MANZO PRESIDENT & CEO 45 $209K
CARLY GALLI VP TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION 45 $145K
SYLVIA HOPKINS VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING 45 $133K
board members · 13
  • ARIK HYBLOOM — DIRECTOR
  • GILLI SINCLAIR — SECRETARY
  • HOWARD PRINCE-WRIGHT — TREASURER
  • ISTHIAG BAIG — DIRECTOR
  • JAVIER IRARRAZAVAL — DIRECTOR
  • JAYNE MILLARD — VICE CHAIR
  • JONATHAN POLIN — DIRECTOR
  • KEVIN LAU — DIRECTOR
  • MARKOS TAMBAKERAS — CHAIR
  • MATT LEWIS — LEGAL COUNSEL
  • MIKE DENSMORE — DIRECTOR
  • TASIA FILLIPPATOS — DIRECTOR
  • VICTOR NICHOLS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 10

who they work with

  • Candid Partner — Holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, demonstrating commitment to transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness.
  • Charity Navigator Partner — Holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting dedication to financial excellence and responsible stewardship.
  • Make-A-Wish Canada Partner — Part of the network serving children in Canada.
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation of America Partner — Make-A-Wish International was formed after the start of Make-A-Wish in the United States.
  • Make-A-Wish Mexico Partner — Part of the network serving children in Mexico.
  • Make-A-Wish Tanzania Network — Launched as the first member of the Make-A-Wish International network based in Africa.
  • Make-A-Wish United Kingdom Partner — Part of the network serving children in the United Kingdom.
  • Medical Advisory Committee Government — Provides medical oversight and confirmation of eligibility for wish recipients.
  • Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice Partner — Recognized with the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice.
  • Uber Partner — Joined forces to drive hope across Latin America.