About Make-A-Wish - Make-A-Wish

The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation^® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.

Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 69 chapters in the U.S. and its territories. Granting more than 12,000 wishes a year and 144,000 wishes in the United States since inception the Make-A-Wish Foundation celebrated "25 Years of Making Wishes Come True" in 2005.

The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1984. In its first year, a total of 27 wishes were granted. Now one of the largest chapters nationwide, the Foundation has granted 5,000 wishes and grants over 300 wishes per year. While the Foundation follows the policies and guidelines of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, the Greater Bay Area chapter operates as a separate 501(c)3 organization. All funds raised by the Foundation are used to fulfill our mission in the Bay Area.

Geographic Area Served

The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation serves 17 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Marin, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Siskiyou, Solano and Sonoma.

A volunteer Board of Directors represents our geographically diverse area and governs the Foundation. Board meetings are held 5 times a fiscal year (September, November, January, March, and August), and, in addition, there are ad-hoc task teams and three Board Committees organized around specific areas of the Foundation operations. Learn more about the Board of Directors, or see a list of our current Board of Directors.

The Advisory Council represents a significant resource to the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation and its Board of Directors. The Council represents the diversity of the community served by the Foundation and assists the Board, Executive Director, and Staff by acting as ambassadors for the Foundation. Additionally, the Council solicits gifts (both cash and in-kind) and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations to help fulfill the mission of the Foundation. Learn more about the Advisory Council.

Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC)

As ambassadors of Make-A-Wish, the Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC) collectively supports the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation through numerous fundraising and advocacy efforts to help fulfill the Foundation’s mission. Founded in 2006, YPAC is made up of approximately 20 diverse professionals under the age of 40 who are passionate about being active and philanthropic members of their community. Learn more about YPAC, and see biographies of our current YPAC members.

YPAC Jr. (Young Professional Advisory Council)

YPAC Jr. is a philanthropy and leadership program open to students ages 13 to 18. YPAC Jr. is comprised of students in the Greater Bay Area community who have a desire to assist the Make-A-Wish Foundation by actively fundraising, participating in leadership opportunities, and spreading awareness of the Foundation to peers. It is meant to inspire the next generation of YPAC members as they grow into young philanthropists and involved members of their community. Children are at the heart of Make-A-Wish and it is our goal to have students as advocates for a mission that supports their peers. YPAC Jr. will creatively fundraise in a kid-friendly way, share ideas to get kids involved and give members the opportunity to learn from a network of mentors and community leaders. Applications for new members are being accepted through September 15. Learn more about YPAC Jr., or see a list of current YPAC Jr. members.

Proceeds from the Make-A-Wish fundraising efforts are used to fulfill children’s dreams and create special memories for the entire family. Over 80% of each dollar raised is spent on wish granting and related program services. Administration and fundraising costs account for less than 20% of money raised.

The average cost of one wish is approximately $10,000 (including in-kind contributions of approximately $2,500). The Foundation relies on in-kind gifts and services, financial contributions from individuals, corporations, clubs and other groups, special events, and car donations. Our Foundation has received enormous community support through special projects, service clubs, fund-raisers and private contributions.

The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation serves children between the ages of 2 1/2 - 18 who meet our guidelines without regard to race, gender, creed, socio-economic, or cultural background. The Foundation is committed to ensuring that it never has to decline a qualified wish referral nor limit the scope of a child's imagination for his/her wish due to the lack of funds.

The Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation thanks all of our individual and corporate donors, our event sponsors and our in-kind contributors. Each of these donations whether large or small contribute to making children's dreams come true.

To view the financial summary for FY 2008, click here.
To view our FY 2008 Annual Report with donor list, click here.