Kids Wish Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions . It has been the subject of negative publicity throughout its history, including accusations of trademark infringement, tax avoidance and inefficient fundraising practices. It was named "the worst charity in the nation" in a 2013 review of charities with wasteful spending practices. In 2012, of the $ 18.6 million the Kids Wish Network raised, only $ 240,000 was spent on granting wishes.
37-540: The Kids Wish Network was founded in 1997 as the "Fulfill a Wish Foundation" by Mark Breiner, his wife Shelley Breiner and Shelley's mother Barbara Askin in honor of Shelley's father, who died of cancer in 1993. In 1998, the company's name was changed to "Kids Wish Network" as part of a settlement after the Make-A-Wish Foundation sued the organization on the premise that it had a confusingly similar name. The organization's beneficiaries are children between
74-475: A 2013 review of charities with wasteful spending practices. In 2012, of the $ 18.6 million the Kids Wish Network raised, only $ 240,000 was spent on granting wishes. The Kids Wish Network was founded in 1997 as the "Fulfill a Wish Foundation" by Mark Breiner, his wife Shelley Breiner and Shelley's mother Barbara Askin in honor of Shelley's father, who died of cancer in 1993. In 1998, the company's name
111-524: A cameo appearance, meets her to make her wish come true. A 1997 sketch of the HBO series Mr. Show with Bob and David focuses on a knock-off of Make-a-Wish called "Dream of a Lifetime", an organization run by two men trying to offer a discount for families of ill children, but whose lack of resources or connections ends with one of them in prison. In the South Park episode " Kenny Dies ", Make-A-Wish
148-450: A comedy sketch from the Key & Peele season 4 episode "Scariest Movie Ever", Jordan Peele portrays a dying child unsettling his doctor and a Make-a-Wish representative with increasingly disturbing "wishes", deliberately provoking the doctor into calling him a "devil child" and questioning his beliefs about "the essential goodness of children." In the episode "Infamous" of Ninjago ,
185-466: A girl who uses a wheelchair (played by Olivia Thirlby ) to prom night. When they run into an ex-girlfriend and the situation gets awkward, the girl says "Make A Wish" to release the tension, suggesting the boy is granting her wish to attend prom night while being in a wheelchair. Later, she uses the sentence "Make A Wish" again, suggesting she wants the boy to make love to her. Make-a-Wish made headlines in 2013 with an elaborate Batman-themed wish, turning
222-840: A press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage . Please help improve this article and add independent sources . ( July 2021 ) [REDACTED] This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject , potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral . Please help improve it by replacing them with more appropriate citations to reliable, independent, third-party sources . ( June 2024 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) Make-A-Wish [REDACTED] Formation April 29, 1980 ; 44 years ago ( 1980-04-29 ) Type 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Purpose Fulfilling
259-728: A sixteen-year-old with an unnamed disease that makes her age four and a half times as fast as normal, sends a letter to Make-A-Wish in a song aptly titled "Make-A-Wish", agonizing over what to wish for before settling on a treehouse. In 2022, Disney Cruise Line chose to christen all Make-A-Wish foundation children as the Godchildren of the newest ship in the Disney fleet, the Disney Wish . Previously ships were named after female characters and role models such as Tinker Bell, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey. Seven-year-old Carter Lucero,
296-1256: A soccer fan supporting Minnesota United FC from Tucson , Arizona , suffers from cystic fibrosis . On 17 July 2024, his wish of scoring for his favorite soccer team came true, as he scored a goal before the start of Minnesota United's match against D.C. United at the Allianz Field . In addition to the goal, Lucero also signed a lifetime contract with the club. References [ edit ] ^ "National Leadership" . wish.org . Retrieved 2023-01-05 . ^ Retrieved on October 9, 2020, ^ "The Make-A-Wish Story - Make-A-Wish International" . 21 September 2020. ^ Sandy Cohen (2018-03-19). "John Cena shares his love for kids and how they inspire him" . AP NEWS . Retrieved 2019-04-08 . ^ Traina, Jimmy (4 May 2020). "Pandemic Can't Stop John Cena From Continuing to Grant Wishes" . Sports Illustrated . Retrieved 12 February 2021 . ^ "Urban Legends Reference Pages: Make-a-Wish Bankrupted by Unlimited Wishes" . Snopes . 31 January 2008 . Retrieved 13 June 2013 . ^ "marcfennell" . ^ "Chaser sketch 'may have been ripped off' " . Archived from
333-517: A young child into " Batkid ". This wish was heavily publicized, and was chronicled in a documentary entitled Batkid Begins . In 2018 Batkid was considered to be cancer-free. In The Fault in Our Stars , a 2014 American romantic drama film , the character Augustus suggests that Hazel should use the "cancer wish" she received from "Genies" - a fictional organization just like Make-A-Wish - to travel to Amsterdam to visit her favorite author. In
370-408: Is on Wikidata Kids Wish Network Kids Wish Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions . It has been the subject of negative publicity throughout its history, including accusations of trademark infringement, tax avoidance and inefficient fundraising practices. It was named "the worst charity in the nation" in
407-597: Is satirized when they visit Kenny in the hospital and ask what his one wish is. In the Family Guy episode " If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin' ", a parody of the Make-A-Wish called the Grant-a-Dream Foundation was presented. In January 2008, the satirical news site The Onion produced a parody video claiming that the Make-A-Wish was bankrupted due to a child's wish for "infinite wishes". The video
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#1732787675175444-441: Is spent on fundraising in comparison to charitable activities. The American Institute of Philanthropy also gave it a failing "F" grade. Kids Wish Network claimed the fundraising spending was needed for new non-profits to develop a donor base. A Charity Navigator spokesperson alleged the Kids Wish Network was taking advantage of tax loopholes for non-profits by counting some of its fundraising activities as charity work and that it had
481-642: The Center for Investigative Reporting undertook a year long joint investigation of "America's Worst Charities" which ranked Kids Wish Network at the top of the list of the worst charities in the United States. based on percentage of money collected from donors that was paid to corporate telemarketing solicitors from 2003 to 2013. Thirty philanthropy experts were interviewed for this series. In 2012, Kids Wish raised $ 18.6 million but only spent one percent on granting children's wishes—$ 240,000. It reported that
518-506: The Green Bay Packers . In 2008, Charity Navigator gave Kids Wish Network zero out of four stars in its "efficiency rating" based on how much money is spent on fundraising in comparison to charitable activities. The American Institute of Philanthropy also gave it a failing "F" grade. Kids Wish Network claimed the fundraising spending was needed for new non-profits to develop a donor base. A Charity Navigator spokesperson alleged
555-584: The United States that helps fulfill the wishes of seriously ill children. and is headquartered in Phoenix . The organization operates through its 58 chapters located throughout the United States . Make-A-Wish also operates in about 50 other countries through 39 international affiliates. Professional wrestler John Cena holds the title for the most wishes granted by a single individual, at over 650 wishes. In popular culture [ edit ] In
592-615: The 1997 made-for-TV movie A Child's Wish , Missy's wish is to go to the White House to meet the president who was responsible for signing the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 into law, which her father lobbied to pass after being fired for visiting Missy in the cancer ward. Make-A-Wish is not sure she will get to meet the president or be allowed to see the Oval Office , but in the end, President Bill Clinton , playing himself in
629-520: The Kids Wish Network was taking advantage of tax loopholes for non-profits by counting some of its fundraising activities as charity work and that it had the highest percent of funds spent on fundraising out of all 24 wish-granting charities. Representatives of the charity said comparing them to other wish-granting services was unfair, since they also provide funeral services and other services. Kids Wish Network has received higher marks in other areas, for example receiving four stars for organizational capacity
666-787: The United States Organizations based in Phoenix, Arizona Charities based in Arizona Organizations established in 1980 1980 establishments in Arizona Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Articles lacking reliable references from June 2021 All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from June 2024 Articles with multiple maintenance issues Commons category link
703-779: The United States Not to be confused with Kids Wish Network . [REDACTED] This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . ( Learn how and when to remove these messages ) [REDACTED] This article relies excessively on references to primary sources . Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources . Find sources: "Make-A-Wish Foundation" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( June 2021 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) [REDACTED] This article reads like
740-560: The ages of 3 and 18 who have overcome life-altering circumstances, often enduring a great deal of pain and suffering. In 2004, it had granted 143 wishes and in 2013 it granted 800 wishes. But in other cases, parents have accused the organization of exploiting their children to generate money without actually providing any benefit to the child. Some of its wishes have been granted by celebrities such as musician Brad Paisley , professional wrestler John Cena , R&B artist Keyshia Cole , NFL coach Jon Gruden , country singer Taylor Swift , and
777-458: The future." In 2020, Charity Navigator broke down the IRS Form 990 for Kids Wish Network; reporting that for every $ 1 raised, it cost the organization $ 0.78 - leaving $ 0.22 for charitable giving. Again in 2022, Kids Wish Network was named as the worst charity to give to by smartasset . Make-A-Wish Foundation Non-profit organization founded in
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#1732787675175814-491: The highest percent of funds spent on fundraising out of all 24 wish-granting charities. Representatives of the charity said comparing them to other wish-granting services was unfair, since they also provide funeral services and other services. Kids Wish Network has received higher marks in other areas, for example receiving four stars for organizational capacity the prior year. In 2012 the Tampa Bay Times , CNN and
851-565: The ninja go to a hospital to fulfill a wish made by a hospital patient through the Grant-a-Wish Foundation, a reference to Make-a-Wish. In Zac & Mia , a 2017 American romance teen drama web television series based on the novel of the same name, the titular character Zac uses the wish he received from Make-A-Wish to recreate prom for Mia after she initially forgoes her own due to her embarrassment over her current medical condition. Four children were guest-stars on
888-551: The organization and found no conflicts of interest. According to its 2011 IRS filing, the charity has 51 employees. Melissa Schwartz, a New York City-based crisis-management specialist hired by Kids Wish Network said that the charity contracts corporate telemarketers so that Kids Wish Network staff can focus on "working with children" not on "raising donations." She said the 100 percent of money pledged directly to Kids Wish Network—as opposed to donations collected through telephone solicitors—goes directly to charity. She "is focused on
925-548: The organization and found no conflicts of interest. According to its 2011 IRS filing, the charity has 51 employees. Melissa Schwartz, a New York City-based crisis-management specialist hired by Kids Wish Network said that the charity contracts corporate telemarketers so that Kids Wish Network staff can focus on "working with children" not on "raising donations." She said the 100 percent of money pledged directly to Kids Wish Network—as opposed to donations collected through telephone solicitors—goes directly to charity. She "is focused on
962-575: The organization had spent $ 110 million on fund-raising solicitors over the prior decade, making it number 1 on the list. According to the report, only three cents out of every dollar raised is spent on wish-granting. The report also said that the organization was paying several million dollars on services to companies operated by Breiner, who retired as the Executive Director in 2010. Since his retirement, Kids Wish Network has paid Breiner's companies $ 3.3 million. The charity first reported
999-502: The organization had spent $ 110 million on fund-raising solicitors over the prior decade, making it number 1 on the list. According to the report, only three cents out of every dollar raised is spent on wish-granting. The report also said that the organization was paying several million dollars on services to companies operated by Breiner, who retired as the Executive Director in 2010. Since his retirement, Kids Wish Network has paid Breiner's companies $ 3.3 million. The charity first reported
1036-490: The organization of exploiting their children to generate money without actually providing any benefit to the child. Some of its wishes have been granted by celebrities such as musician Brad Paisley , professional wrestler John Cena , R&B artist Keyshia Cole , NFL coach Jon Gruden , country singer Taylor Swift , and the Green Bay Packers . In 2008, Charity Navigator gave Kids Wish Network zero out of four stars in its "efficiency rating" based on how much money
1073-405: The original on 2009-06-06. ^ "Well wishes hub" . Retrieved 11 November 2023 . ^ "Sick kids stunt earns Chaser 2-week ban" . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 5 June 2009. ^ "Batkid won our hearts. Now he's cancer free" . The Washington Post . Retrieved 16 November 2018 . ^ Key & Peele - Make-A-Wish , archived from
1110-942: The original on 2021-11-17 , retrieved 2019-11-04 ^ Buddy Valastro Helps Kids Make A Wish November 30, 2017. ^ " 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst explains why he stopped that reward challenge" . EW.com . Retrieved 2020-12-15 . ^ "The heartwarming story of Tucson's Carter Lucero who has his Make-A-Wish granted" . KGUN 9 Tucson News . 2024-07-19 . Retrieved 2024-09-21 . External links [ edit ] [REDACTED] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Make-A-Wish Foundation . Make-A-Wish of America Make-A-Wish International Make-A-Wish Australia Authority control databases [REDACTED] International VIAF National United States Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Make-A-Wish_Foundation&oldid=1258014145 " Categories : Children's charities based in
1147-416: The payments in amended tax filings in 2012 after an employee took her concerns about insider dealings to the charity’s board. According to the report, "Kids Wish violated IRS rules by waiting four years to disclose the money it paid Breiner. The charity blamed the delay on a mistake by its accountants." Breiner said that Kids Wish Network had recently completed an IRS audit, which reviewed his contracts with
Kids Wish Network - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-414: The payments in amended tax filings in 2012 after an employee took her concerns about insider dealings to the charity’s board. According to the report, "Kids Wish violated IRS rules by waiting four years to disclose the money it paid Breiner. The charity blamed the delay on a mistake by its accountants." Breiner said that Kids Wish Network had recently completed an IRS audit, which reviewed his contracts with
1221-581: The prior year. In 2012 the Tampa Bay Times , CNN and the Center for Investigative Reporting undertook a year long joint investigation of "America's Worst Charities" which ranked Kids Wish Network at the top of the list of the worst charities in the United States. based on percentage of money collected from donors that was paid to corporate telemarketing solicitors from 2003 to 2013. Thirty philanthropy experts were interviewed for this series. In 2012, Kids Wish raised $ 18.6 million but only spent one percent on granting children's wishes—$ 240,000. It reported that
1258-471: The show Cake Boss in 2017, in which Buddy Valastro helped the four children make one-of-a-kind cakes before making a hot air balloon cake for a reception for a Make-A-Wish event. In Survivor : San Juan del Sur , thirteen year-old Make-A-Wish child Austin Russell contributed a reward obstacle course as part of his wish. In the musical Kimberly Akimbo , the titular character Kimberly Levaco,
1295-428: The wishes of children with critical illnesses Headquarters Phoenix , Arizona , U.S. Region International President & CEO Leslie Motter Website wish .org [REDACTED] President Barack Obama with Make-A-Wish recipient Nick Wetzel and his older brother Stephan on December 9, 2016 The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in
1332-400: Was apparently so convincing that some people believed it to be real, and it had to be debunked by the urban legends website Snopes . The Mansion and The Chaser's War on Everything did similar sketches about the Make-A-Wish, the latter causing an unprecedented amount of controversy. In the 2008 feature film New York, I Love You , an unnamed boy (played by Anton Yelchin ) takes
1369-461: Was changed to "Kids Wish Network" as part of a settlement after the Make-A-Wish Foundation sued the organization on the premise that it had a confusingly similar name. The organization's beneficiaries are children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have overcome life-altering circumstances, often enduring a great deal of pain and suffering. In 2004, it had granted 143 wishes and in 2013 it granted 800 wishes. But in other cases, parents have accused
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