Make-A-Wish is one of the most famous wish-granting charities in the world, but it’s not the only one. There are many charities and even companies like Make-A-Wish that help children with critical or terminal illnesses see their dreams come true.
From national foundations to local programs, these wish-granting organizations give families a chance to create lasting memories during a difficult time. Let’s dive in and review the ones that help children.
About Wish-Granting Organizations
Wish-granting organizations are charities that create special experiences for children with serious illnesses. Their goal is to give kids hope, joy, and lasting memories during hard times. While Make-A-Wish is the best known, many other groups offer the same kind of help.
Most programs have a few basic rules:
- The child must have a series condition confirmed by a doctor. Usually the condition has to be critical or life-threatening, but some organizations accept chronic conditions as well.
- The child must be within a set age range, usually between 2 and 21 years old.
- The child usually cannot have already received a wish from another wish-granting group.
The process is often simple:
- Referral: A parent, guardian, healthcare worker, or sometimes the child can send in a referral form.
- Verification: The charity checks medical details and other requirements.
- Planning: Staff and volunteers work with the family to plan the wish. This could be a trip, meeting a hero, or getting a special gift.
- Fulfillment: The organization makes the wish come true. They often cover travel, lodging, tickets, and more so the family pays nothing for the experience.
Most groups only grant one wish per child, and many will not allow you to apply if you have already received a wish from another organization. That’s why it’s important to choose carefully.
Charities & Companies Like Make a Wish
If your child has a dream they want to experience, there are many organizations that can help. As you review the list below, keep in mind that most programs will not grant a wish if your child has already received one from another wish-granting group.
Make a Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is the most well-known wish-granting organization in the world. They have granted more than 500,000 wishes to children with critical or terminal illnesses.
Wishes often fall into one of five categories: having, meeting, being, giving, and going. Examples include shopping sprees, meeting celebrities, or visiting Disney.
There are some limitations. They cannot make structural changes to a home, buy vehicles, or provide trained service dogs. However, they may offer alternatives like bedroom makeovers, ATVs, above-ground pools, or companion pets.
In order to be eligible, your child must be:
- Between 2.5 to 18 years old
- Diagnosed with a critical illness that is progressive, degnerative, or malignant
- Not already receiving a wish from another organization
Anyone can refer an eligible child — including parents, family, the child, or medical professionals. The referral can be completed online.
Cherished Creations
Cherished Creations grants wishes for children and young adults age 21 and under with serious illnesses. They also run a Special Requests program that helps families with care and support needs.
In order to be eligible, your child must be:
- Age 21 or under.
- Diagnosed with a serious illness.
- Referred by hospital staff, clergy, physician, or social worker
- Wish for something that can take place within the continental United States.
If you are interested, encourage your child’s provider to complete the application forms are available on the Cherished Creations website.
Kids Wish Network
Kids Wish Network offers wishes as well as other support services for families affected by pediatric illnesses. They also run programs for holidays and provide funeral assistance.
In order to qualify for a Lifetime Wish, your child must be:
- Between the ages of 3 and 18 years old.
- Able to communicate verbally or non-verbally.
- Diagnosed with a life-threatening condition.
- Your child cannot have received help from another wish-granting organization.
If you are eligible, you can nominate your child using the form on the Kids Wish Network website. Even if your child isn’t eligible for a Lifetime Wish, they may be eligible for the Hero of the Month program!
Western Wishes
Western Wishes specializes in fulfilling dreams that align with the western way of life. They mainly serve ranch-raised children, as well as those who are interested in rodeo and horse show competitions.
Children or young adults with terminal illness, severe injury, or major adversity in their lives may be eligible. They also need a love for the Western way of life!
To apply for this assistance, you need to reach out to the program director.
Dream Factory
Dream Factory is one of the companies like Make a Wish that actually serves a bigger audience. This organization serves children with terminal illnesses as well as those with chronic conditions like seizure disorders or Type 1 diabetes.
In order to be eligible, your child must be:
- Between 3 and 18 years old.
- Able to communicate their dream to the volunteers.
- Diagnosed with a critical or chronic illness that is documented and confirmed by a physician.
- Living in an area with a Dream Factory chapter (currently there are chapters in AZ, IL, IA, KS, KY, ME, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, and TX.)
- Your child cannot have received a wish from a different wish-granting organization.
You can refer a child to the Dream Factory by using their online form.
Marty Lyons Foundation
The Marty Lyons Foundation is another one of the companies like Make a Wish. The wishes they grant range from celebrity meet-and-greets to Key West fishing trips. They can also help with technology items, concert tickets, backyard renovations and more. One of their most notable events involved a winter trip to Vermont for a child who had never seen snow before.
In order to be eligible, your child must be:
- Between the ages of 3 and 17
- Diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness.
- Living within the Foundation’s designated geographic area (currently Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia)
You can access the application instructions on the Marty Lyons Foundation website.
Eva’s Butterfly Wishes for Rare Children
Eva’s Butterfly Wishes provides a child-centered experience for children who are affected with a rare disease or disorder like Walker-Warburg Syndrome.
Some of the experiences offered by this program include trips to the zoo, a home visit by a costumed character, a special dining experience, or travel to an event or destination.
This program is administered by NORD, an organization that provides financial assistance to people battling rare conditions. To apply, you will need to call NORD at (877) 291-7813 or email EvasButterflyWishes@rarediseases.org.
Outdoor Adventure Wishes
Some of these organizations specialize in connecting eligible children with hunting, fishing or other outdoor adventures. If your child is interested, we’ve found a few options!
Catch a Dream Foundation
The Catch a Dream Foundation brings children outdoors on a hunting or fishing adventure! The type of adventures available may be dictated by your child’s age. For example, children must be at least 8 years old to go hunting. To hunt big game like moose or bear, the child must be at least 12 years old. For deep-sea or offshore fishing, the child must be at least 10 years old. Smaller game and freshwater fishing is available to children at younger ages.
In order to be eligible, your child must be:
- A US or Canadian citizen.
- Between the ages of 6 and 18.
- Diagnosed with a qualifying life-threatening illness, as documented by a physician.
- Your child cannot have already received another hunting or fishing grant.
In order to apply, you’ll need to fill out an application. Your child will need to specify their top three hunting or fishing dreams on that application.
Hunt of a Lifetime
Hunt of a Lifetime is an organization that provides hunting and fishing experiences. Theis organization partners with several media sponsors and outfitters to help coordinate these experiences.
In order to be eligible for a trip from Hunt of a Lifetime, your child must be:
- Age 21 or under.
- Diiagnosed with a life-threatening illness or disability.
- Able to submit a medical release form.
The application must be printed and mailed in. You can find it on the Hunt of a Lifetime website.
United Special Sportsman Alliance Inc.
This organization offers free outdoor adventures for critically ill or disabled youth, adults and veterans! When a child is selected for an adventure, they are welcome to bring along a parent, guardian or caretaker to help.
You don’t need to bring any gear or anything unless you want to. If travel is required, USSA may be able to help finance or subsidize your travel expenses. However, they ask that you contribute if you can so that they can grant more wishes for other people too.
If you get a trophy fish or game animal on your adventure, USSA may be able to help you with free mounting from their network of taxidermists as well.
In order to be eligible for an outdoor wish from USSA, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must live in the United States.
- You must be at least two years old.
- You must have a life-threatening illness or a disability.
This organization gives priority to those with life-threatening illnesses. People with disabilities are still eligible and may be awarded a trip if there is enough funding available.
You can apply on the USSA website.
Wishes for Kids with Cancer
Although companies like Make a Wish serve all children regardless of diagnosis, there are some wish-granting organizations that exclusively serve pediatric cancer patients.
Clayton Dabney for Kids with Cancer
Children who are in the final stages of terminal cancer may be eligible for assistance from Clayton Dabney for Kids with Cancer. They can grant wishes, provide gifts offer financial assistance. There is a $2,500 limit per family.
In order to be eligible, your child will need to be:
- Diagnosed with cancer or a cancer-related illness.
- Terminal and in the last stages of the illness.
- Age 18 or younger. Those who are 21 and under may be eligible if they were diagnosed before age 18 and are still being treated in a pediatric facility.
- Your family must have been low income before the diagnosis occurred.
In order to receive help, your hospital or hospice care facility must complete a referral. You can ask them to download the forms from the Clayton Dabney website and submit them over fax to 888-374-013
Elle Foundation
The Elle Foundation helps children who have experienced a relapse of cancer receive a second wish. In order to be eligible for help from this organization, you must have already participated in a wish from another organization.
In order to be eligible, your child must be:
- Age 18 or under.
- Diagnosed with relapse or secondary cancer after at least 24 months of remission
- Your child must have participated in a first wish more than two years ago.
If your child is eligible, you can access the forms on the Elle Foundation website.
Go4theGoal
Go4theGoal helps families who are dealing with pediatric cancer. This organization provides wish-granting services for things like tablets or VIP experiences. They can also provide financial assistance with household bills, medical-related travel costs, tuition assistance and more.
In order to get help from this organization, a social worker must refer you. Ask your hospital’s social worker to contact them on your behalf!
Wigs & Wishes
Children with terminal cancer can apply to have a wish granted by Wigs & Wishes!
This organization does not have a lot of information about their program on their website but they do offer some videos about previous hopes that have been granted in the past. It appears that they have helped people go to Disney, meet superheroes, and so much more.
You can apply using the contact form on the Wigs & Wishes website.
Local Wish-Granting Organizations
There are even more companies like Make a Wish that operate at a local level. These only serve specific cities, counties or states.
A Special Wish (Ohio & Chicago IL)
Children under the age of 20 years old may be able to receive A Special Wish from this organization.
In order to be eligible, your child must be:
- Age 20 or younger.
- Living in Ohio or Chicago, Illinois.
- Your child cannot have received help from another wish-granting organization.
If you are eligible, you can apply on the foundation’s website.
Children’s Wishes (Rhode Island)
Children’s Wishes helps Rhode Island children only.
In order to be eligible:
- Your child must live in Rhode Island.
- Your child must be between 2 1/2 and 18 years old.
- Your child must have a life-threatening medical condition that is malignant, progressive or degenerative.
To refer your child or another child, use the printable Wish Referral Form on the Children’s Wishes website.
Dreams Come True (NE Florida)
Dreams Come True realize dreams for children in Northeast Florida.
In order to be eligible, your child must meet these parameters:
- Your child must be between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18 years old.
- Your child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
- Your child must live in or receive treatment in Northeast Florida.
- Your child must not have already received a wish from another organization.
You can fill out the referral form on the website or ask your provider to phone in a referral on your behalf.
Enchanted Peach Children’s Foundation (Georgia)
Like Make a Wish, the Enchanted Peach Children’s Foundation provides trips and special experiences for families who have a child with a critical illness. These could range from a special dinner together to a trip to a local family entertainment center.
In order to be eligible, you need to have a child between the ages of 2 and 18 who is diagnosed with a critical illness. This means that there is a high risk of imminent death if care is not provided. Your child also needs to live in Georgia and be treated at a hospital in Georgia.
You can apply on the Enchanted Peach website.
Indiana Wish (Indiana)
This organization helps Hoosier children create memories. In order to be eligible for help from this organization, your child must live in Indiana, be under age 18, and have a life-threatening illness.
You can fill out the family and friend referral form on the Indiana Wish website.
Rainbow Connection (Michigan)
Children in Michigan who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness may be able to have a wish fulfilled through Rainbow Connection.
In order to be eligible, your child must meet these requirements:
- Your child must live in Michigan.
- Your child must be 18 years old or younger.
- Your child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
- Your child cannot have already received a wish from another organization.
You can apply online or by calling Rainbow Connection.
Wishes & More (Minnesota)
Wishes & More create extraordinary experiences for children who are dealing with severe diagnoses. These experiences are meant to create lifetime memories.
In order to be eligible, your child must meet these guidelines:
- Your child must be age 18 or under.
- Your child must live in Minnesota and be treated in a Minnesota facility.
- Your child cannot have already received a wish from another wish-granting organization.
If you meet the requirements, you can submit the referral form on the Wishes & More website.
Wishes Can Happen (NE Ohio)
Wishes Can Happen serves Northeast Ohio children with life-threatening illnesses. This organization invites anyone to refer a child, even if they do it anonymously.
Some of the dreams granted by this organization include installing outdoor play structures, Disney cruises, swimming with sharks, and organizing a Princess for a Day event.
In order to be eligible, your child must meet these requirements:
- Your child must live in Northeast Ohio.
- Your child must be between 3 and 21 years old.
- Your child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
- Your child cannot have already received a wish from another wish-granting organization.
You can submit your referral online or by calling (330) 966-0043.
Wishing Star Foundation (North ID & WA)
The Wishing Star Foundation serves children who live in Eastern Washington or Northern Idaho. The wishes from this organization could include tickets to a local event, travel to Disney and more!
In order to be eligible, your child must meet this criteria:
- Your child must be between the ages of 3 and 21.
- Your child must live in Spokane, Tri-Cities or Northern Idaho.
- Your child must be diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening condition.
This organization may also help with medical travel and Christmas gifts as well. Apply on their website!
FAQs about Wish Granting Organizations
If you’re thinking about applying to a wish-granting organization for your child, you probably have questions about how these programs work, who qualifies, and what to expect. While every charity is a little different, the basics are often the same. This FAQ will guide you through the most common questions about companies like Make-A-Wish so you can find the right program for your family.
Wish-granting organizations are charities that create special experiences for children facing serious or life-threatening illnesses. These experiences can include trips, meeting celebrities, outdoor adventures, or receiving special gifts. Their goal is to bring joy and lasting memories during a difficult time.
Eligibility rules vary, but most programs require the child to have a life-threatening or critical illness confirmed by a doctor. Many have age limits, usually between 2 and 21 years old. Some groups focus on certain illnesses or regions.
The process usually starts with a referral form from a parent, guardian, medical professional, or sometimes the child. The organization then reviews medical records and eligibility. Once approved, staff or volunteers work with the family to plan and grant the wish.
Yes. Wish-granting organizations fund these experiences through donations and sponsors. They often cover all costs related to the wish, including travel, lodging, and tickets, so the family pays nothing.
Usually no. Most programs have a “one wish per child” rule so they can help as many families as possible. There are a few exceptions, such as the Elle Foundation, which grants a second wish to children with a cancer relapse.
Many are similar, but some have unique focuses. For example, Catch-A-Dream specializes in outdoor adventures, while Clayton Dabney for Kids with Cancer serves low-income families in the final stages of treatment. Others operate only in certain states or regions.
Relief Recap
If you have a child with a terminal or life-threatening diagnosis, there are more than 20 companies like Make a Wish nationwide. These wish-granting organizations can help your child’s reams come true and help your family make memories that will last forever. Contact the organizations on this list to apply!