Questions & Answers
FAQs... About Us
- How did the Make-A-Wish Foundation begin?
In April 1980, a seven-year-old child with leukemia, Chris Greicius, had his dream of being a police officer realized as officers of the Arizona Department of Public Safety honored him with a custom-made uniform, helmet, badge and even a helicopter ride! Chris's delight in the fulfillment of his dream inspired the beginnings of the Make-A-Wish Foundation . . . now the largest wish-granting organization in the world.
- How is Make-A-Wish Foundation structured?
There are 69 Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters in the United States and 27 international affiliates spanning five continents. Each chapter is responsible for granting wishes for eligible children within its designated geographic area and for raising the funds to fulfill those wishes.
- How did Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado begin?
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado began in 1983 after the death of seven-year-old Jennifer Mazak. Although Jennifer did not have a formal wish, she wanted to meet the KIMN Chicken radio mascot. When the KIMN Chicken was told of Jennifer's wish, he came to visit her at home. While Jennifer's appearance prompted gibes and stares from the neighborhood children, she was the envy of them all when the KIMN Chicken hugged and held her and lavished attention on her alone. After Jennifer died, Joan Mazak, current president and CEO started the Colorado chapter, the ninth chapter in Make-A-Wish Foundation history.
- How many wishes has the Colorado chapter granted?
The Colorado chapter has granted nearly 3,000 wishes to eligible children since its beginning in 1983.
- Who is eligible for a wish?
Any child who is between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18 (at the time of referral), who is verified by a physician to have a life-threatening medical condition and who has not previously been granted a wish by any wish-granting organization, is eligible for a wish.
- How can I refer an eligible child for a wish?
Eligible children may be referred by a parent or legal guardian, doctor, social worker or other involved medical professional. Children can even refer themselves! For information please call (303) 750-9474 or (800) 366-9474 toll-free in Colorado.
- How are wishes paid for?
Funding comes from individual contributions, special events, schools, corporate donations and sponsorships, foundation grants, workplace giving programs and planned gifts. Each chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is responsible for raising and managing the funds needed to grant the wishes of children within their area.
- How can I obtain more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado?
More information about Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado can be obtained by calling (303) 750-9474 or (800) 366-9474 toll-free in Colorado or by emailing us now.
FAQs... About Wishes
- Who is eligible to receive a wish?
To be eligible for a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a child must be between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18 years at the time of referral and have a life-threatening medical condition that will be verified by their physician. Any child who has already been granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation or another wish-granting organization is not eligible for a second wish.
- Are a family's income or financial resources considered?
The income of a family plays no part in determining a child's eligibility for a wish.
- What do most children wish for?
Wishes reflect a heartfelt desire of a child. A wish may be for something grand and complex or it may be for something simple and basic. It is limited only by the child's imagination and physical ability to participate in the fulfillment of the wish. Most wish requests fall into four major categories:
1. I wish to go -- Many Make-A-Wish kids want to travel to their favorite theme park, while others want to visit an exotic beach, go on a cruise, see snow for the first time or attend a major sporting event or concert.
2. I wish to have -- Children often wish for a special gift, like a computer, a clubhouse, a shopping spree or something that they have coveted for a long time.
3. I wish to meet-- Some children want to meet their favorite athlete, recording artist, television personality, movie star, cartoon character, politician or public figure.
4. I wish to be -- Children search the depths of their imagination when they wish to be someone for a day - a fireman, a police officer or a model, for instance.
- Is the family included in the wish?
Every effort is made to include the child's immediate family in the wish experience.
- Are there restrictions on a wish?
The Colorado chapter does not grant wishes for vehicles, real estate or any wish involving weapons or gambling. With those few exceptions, the child's wish is limited only by his or her imagination. To be sure each child gains the maximum benefit of a wish experience, we work with the child's physician to determine the appropriateness and the timing of the wish.
- How are wishes fulfilled?
Make-A-Wish volunteer wish teams work with staff to coordinate the details of each child's wish . . . making sure each wish is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that incorporates the child's hopes and dreams. Once a child's medical eligibility is confirmed, our wish volunteers contact and visit with the child and family. The child's wish begins with the opportunity to envision his or her most heartfelt desire as our volunteers ask: "If you could have anything you wanted . . . go anywhere . . . meet anyone . . . have anything, what would that be? Inviting a child to imagine happiness in the midst of difficult times is an important part of the life-enhancing process that the wish experience offers.
- What is the average cost of a wish?
The average cash and in-kind cost of granting a wish in Colorado is $6,000. This varies, as the wishes themselves vary from a Barbie bicycle with special accessories, to a dream of swimming with dolphins. Once we know a child's most heartfelt wish, we do our best to make that wish come true.
- Does the family have to contribute toward the wish?
Wish expenses are fully covered by the Make-A-Wish chapter granting the wish. This will often include travel expenses, lodging, meals and even spending money for the children. Our objective is to provide the child and family with memories of joy that are not clouded with the worries of expenses.
- How are wishes paid for?
Funding for wishes comes from individual contributions, special events, schools, corporate donations and sponsorships, foundation grants, workplace giving programs and planned gifts. Each chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation is responsible for raising and managing the funds needed to grant the wishes of children within their area.
FAQs... About Supporting Wishes
- How can I make a contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado?
Contributions can be made by mail, by telephone or online. If you'd like to mail your donation, you can do so by clicking on the link above.
- How can I help to raise funds to support wishes?
There are many ways to help fund wishes. Whether you are a corporate CEO considering sponsorship of a major event or a third grade student coordinating a class project, our staff will provide the information and support you need. Please browse through our Ways to Get Involved and Giving sections and consider the many options we offer for corporate, individual and student involvement.
- Are there other ways I can help to support wishes?
Make-A-Wish Foundation offers opportunities to join our work in various volunteer capacities. We offer programs for students and schools and we can help you to initiate workplace giving at your place of business. In addition, we can always use ice-breaker (get acquainted) gifts for wish grantor volunteers to give to new wish children and their siblings: $10 gifts, especially for teens, gift cards are perfect.
- What are your sources of funding?
The work of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado is funded entirely by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations and by monies raised through special events. We also rely on in-kind contributions of goods and services to defray costs of wish granting and fund raising. We do not use - or permit others to use on our behalf - telephone marketing, door-to-door solicitations, vending machines or similar fundraising approaches.
- Does Make-A-Wish Foundation use telemarketing?
Make-A-Wish Foundation does not use - or permit others to use on our behalf - telemarketing, door-to-door solicitations or similar fundraising approaches.
- Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
- Does Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado meet the Better Business Bureau's Charity Standards?
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado meets Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Solicitations (last review: 3/18/03). To obtain a report from the BBB, contact them at www.denverbbb.org.
FAQs... About Volunteering
- Does Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado offer volunteer opportunities?
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado depends on the help of volunteers in every aspect of our work. Volunteers are involved in wish granting, fundraising, special events, outreach efforts, publicity and helping in the office.
- What are the benefits of volunteering with Make-A-Wish Foundation?
Whatever volunteer position you assume at Make-A-Wish Foundation, you will know that your work helps to bring hope, strength and joy to a child at a very difficult time in his or her life. You will meet and work with our dedicated staff and volunteers in a supportive and challenging atmosphere.
- What roles do volunteers fill and how is placement determined?
Our Wish Granting volunteers work directly with children and families to fulfill wishes. Meeter-Greeter volunteers greet and assist out-of-town families whose child's wish brings them to the Colorado area. Other areas in which volunteers help with our mission: community outreach, community advocacy, interpreters, special events and other fundraising coordination; administrative assistance to our office staff. For more information, visit our Volunteer page.
- What type of training will I receive?
All volunteers will participate in a basic orientation session and special training for the specific volunteer role to which you are assigned. You will have on-going opportunities to attend "in service" trainings throughout your volunteer career with Make-A-Wish Foundation.
- What is the time commitment expected of volunteers?
Volunteer commitments vary, depending on the position you accept. We make every effort to match your availability and level of commitment with the needs of your volunteer assignment. As a Make-A-Wish volunteer, you are given the important task of making a child's wish come true. It is important work and we expect a high level of commitment and professionalism from all our volunteers. In return, the Make-A-Wish Foundation makes a commitment to you: We promise to provide quality training and the support and resources needed to do the work entrusted to you.
- Are volunteers directly involved with the children and families?
Wish Granting volunteers have the highest level of involvement with children and their families. They make the initial contact with the family, determine the child's most heartfelt wish and coordinate the details of granting the wish with Make-A-Wish staff members. As a new volunteer, you will receive training and be mentored by an experienced volunteer to ensure that you are knowledgeable and comfortable in meeting and talking with the children and their families.
- Are there volunteer positions that would not be so emotionally demanding?
There are many volunteer opportunities that do not involve direct contact with our wish kids and their families. In addition to wish granting, our volunteers are involved in fund-raising and special events, outreach efforts, publicity and helping in the office. Please see our Volunteer page. If you have a special skill or talent you would like to offer, please contact Becky Schilling at (303) 750-9474 or (800) 366-9474 toll-free in Colorado to see how you can become involved.
- How do I apply?
We're so glad you asked! To begin the process of becoming a Make-A-Wish volunteer, please request for an application form by contacting our offices at the address below or by downloading the Make-A-Wish Volunteer Application (PDF) and mailing it to our office. You may also contact our office by phone at (303) 750-9474 or (800) 366-9474 toll-free in Colorado or by email: bschilling@colorado.wish.org.
A background check and fingerprint card is required for all volunteers.
- How long is the application process?
It usually takes two to three months from the time your application is received until the time you can begin as a Make-A-Wish volunteer. To help us to process your application, please provide email addresses for those you list as references and let them know we will be contacting them via email or regular mail.
FAQs... About Referring a Child
- How is a child referred for a wish?
You can call the Colorado chapter office at (303) 750-9474 or (800) 366-9474 toll-free in Colorado. Referrals can be made online via our Wish Referral Form or referral forms can be faxed (medical personnel only) to (303) 755-3108.
- Who can refer a child?
Eligible children can be referred by a parent or legal guardian or by a medical professional involved in their care. We also accept self-referrals by children who contact us directly.
- How is eligibility determined?
Any child facing a life-threatening medical condition who is between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18 at the time of referral and who has not previously been granted a wish by any chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation or by any other wish-granting organization is eligible for a wish.
- Is a child who has already received a wish from another organization eligible for a Make-A-Wish Foundation wish?
Children who have had previous wishes granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation or by other wish-granting organizations are not eligible for a second wish.
- Does the family's financial status matter?
It is only the child's medical condition that determines eligibility for a wish. We understand that even financially comfortable families have neither the time nor the emotional energy to plan their child's wish experience or a dream vacation while meeting the demands of medical treatment schedules and other day-to-day demands of their child's illness. And sometimes a child's wish is for something money cannot buy . . . meeting a favorite celebrity, becoming CEO for a day or carrying the Olympic torch.
- Can we count on Make-A-Wish Foundation to protect the child's privacy?
Make-A-Wish Foundation respects the privacy of the children and families it serves. All medical information is considered confidential and is not discussed with outside parties unless it is required for the wish and the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) have given their consent. Click here to view our Privacy Policy.
FAQs for Parents and Families
- Does accepting a wish mean that we're giving up hope for our child's recovery?
Make-A-Wish Foundation has sometimes been incorrectly portrayed as an organization that grants wishes only to children who are dying. Our eligibility criteria stipulate that a child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, not a terminal condition. The process of making a wish is life-affirming and full of hope. For many children a wish experience becomes a turning point, renewing their courage and determination to fight for a future. Our wish children who are now adults would attest to this!
- Are families reluctant to accept a wish because it feels like taking charity?
There are several reasons why a family might hesitate to call us. A family might feel, for example, that they could grant a wish for their child themselves. We have found, however, that a family simply does not plan a fantasy vacation or event when challenged by a life-threatening medical condition with its intense and disruptive treatment schedules and extreme stresses. A family also might think receiving a wish will prevent a child from a more financially challenged family from receiving their wish. This is not the case. All medically eligible children who are between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18 and who have not received a wish from any other wish granting organization receive a wish.
- If our family can afford to pay for our child's wish, will accepting a wish be unfair to less fortunate families?
All medically qualified children are eligible for a wish, regardless of their income. Even if a family can afford to fund the wish themselves, we seek to bring elements of surprise, magic and fun to the wish experience that many families could not achieve. We have never had to turn a wish down because of a lack of funds and take pride in fulfilling a wish for every eligible child, regardless of race or economic status.
- When should I refer my child for a wish?
The timing of each wish is based on the medical and emotional needs of the child and family. Referrals can be made any time after your child's diagnosis is confirmed. We will work closely with your family and your child's medical team to determine the best time for granting your child's wish. We also coordinate closely with your child's medical team to ensure that treatment protocols are never interrupted or jeopardized.
- How is my child's wish determined?
Once a child's eligibility for a wish is confirmed, our wish-granting volunteers will schedule a time to meet with you and your child to determine his or her wish. Our volunteers are specially trained to help your child explore the different types of wishes and to identify her or his most heartfelt wish. This initial part of a child's Make-A-Wish experience can generate hopeful expectation and give your child something to look forward to. It is the child's imagination that creates the wish, not selecting from a list of wish possibilities.
- Who pays for our child's wish?
Make-A-Wish Foundation covers the entire cost of your child's wish. There is no cost to the family.
- Will my family's privacy be respected?
Make-A-Wish Foundation takes great care to guard the privacy of the children and families we serve. Your child's medical information is considered confidential and is not discussed with outside parties unless it is required for the wish. Your consent is required before we can obtain or share any information regarding your child or your family.
- How do I determine if my child is eligible for a wish?
If your child is between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18 and has been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition (determined by your physician), he or she may be eligible for a wish. The medical professionals working with your child will be able to give you more information or you can contact our office at (303) 750-9474 or (800) 366-9474 toll-free in Colorado.
- How do I refer my child for a wish?
You can call the Colorado chapter office at (303) 750-9474 or (800) 366-9474 toll-free in Colorado. Referrals can be made online via our Wish Referral Form or referral forms can be faxed (medical personnel only) to (303) 755-3108.