Nonprofit Organization of the Year- Large – Finalist
Make-A-Wish Wisconsin
11020 W. Plank Ct., Suite 200, Wauwatosa
Make-A-Wish Wisconsin was founded in 1984. That year, the organization granted its very first wish to 11-year-old Catina. She wanted to meet Michael Jackson.
Thirty-two years later, the organization has granted more than 5,700 wishes to Wisconsin children living with life-threatening medical conditions.
In 2016, Make-A-Wish granted a record 378 wishes.
According to Forrest Doolen, director of marketing and communications, the average cost of a wish is $6,500, plus an additional $3,600 of in-kind products and services.
Each wish is as unique as the child who wishes for it, and the Make-A-Wish staff works to add creativity and magic to every wish.
The organization works closely with partner organizations, corporations and the community to hold fundraisers and special events, and also utilizes the power of more than 600 volunteers throughout the state to achieve its mission.
Nearly 82 percent of funds raised go directly to wishes for children in the community.
In March 2016, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin moved its chapter headquarters to Wauwatosa after 28 years in Butler.
