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  • How To: Wish Granting Guide

Wish-Granting Guide


Families with children who have complex disabilities or medical healthcare needs may qualify for wish programs. These programs allow children to enjoy experiences with their families or receive gifts for comfort or enjoyment.

This guide covers four types of wish-granting programs:

Wish-Granting Agencies & Partners

Wish-granting agencies and their partners work to fulfill an applicant’s wish for an experience, gift or trip. Once approved, the child cannot request a wish from another wish-granting agency, but they may be eligible for additional benefits from wish-granting partners.

Go to list

Adventures, Events & Tickets

Adventure, event, & ticket organizations help families to create memorable experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses or diseases. Unlike wish-granting agencies, these organizations may limit the scope of wishes to certain themes or requests. 

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Transportation

Transportation organizations assist families who need transportation for non-local medical treatment.

Go to list

Disability- or Condition-Specific Agencies

Disability- or condition-specific agencies narrow applications to a specific diagnosis or category of disability. Families should also check the Nonprofits & Charitable Foundations section in the Guide to Finding Funding for disability- or condition-specific agencies who offer grants.

Go to list

Wish-Granting Agencies & Partners

Agencies

Wish-granting agencies accept wish applications from families who meet eligibility requirements. To learn more about an agency, click the organization names below.

Nonprofit organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children between birth and 20 years of age who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Programs include Wishes, Sparkles of Joy, When I Grow Up, and Food Drops.
aspecialwishneo.org

Eligibility

  • Ages birth-20
  • Northeast Ohio resident
  • Diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or disease
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency

Nonprofit with the mission to create better lives for seriously ill children (up through 21 years old) and the underprivileged, giving them hope for a brighter tomorrow. In general, wishes fall into two categories: Dream and Support.
cherishedcreations.org

Eligibility

  • Ages 0-21
  • Diagnosed with a serious illness
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency

Nonprofit focused on infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. Programs include Lifetime Wishes and Hero of the Month.
kidswishnetwork.org

Lifetime Wish Eligibility

  • Ages 3-18
  • Able to communicate verbally or nonverbally with switches, communication boards, or sign language
  • Diagnosed with a life-threatening condition
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency

Hero of the Month Eligibility

  • Ages 3-18
  • Facing life-altering circumstances with extreme bravery and courage

Local chapter for Make-A-Wish, with the mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
wish.org/oki

Eligibility

  • Ages 2 ½ - 18
  • Diagnosed with a critical illness
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency

Answers the dreams and wishes of children who have severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse, and whose families have limited income. Programs include Special Dreams and Magical Dreams.
sunshinefoundation.org

Eligibility

  • Ages 3-18
  • Family income may not exceed $75,000
  • Child must have severe or profound physical, developmental or intellectual challenges or trauma from physical abuse
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency

Nonprofit with the mission of granting wishes to children with life threatening illnesses in Ohio.
wishescanhappen.org

Eligibility

  • Ages 3-21
  • Northeast Ohio resident, with focus on Stark county
  • Diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or chronic disease
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency

Partners

Wish-granting partners rely on qualification through a wish-granting agency to support families. Once approved for a wish, families may work through their agency or contact the partner for more information.

Nine-acre, nonprofit "storybook" resort in Central Florida. Here, children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to week-long, cost-free vacations.
gktw.org

Adventures, Events & Tickets

Offers free, local events and activities called Adventures for families who have a child facing a life-threatening condition. A Kid Again supports kids and families facing a wide range of diagnoses, embracing the idea of inclusivity and understanding.
akidagain.org/chapter/northern-ohio-chapter

Michigan-based nonprofit offering outdoor wish experiences. Programs include dolphin and whale experiences, hunting and fishing trips, camping, horse ranches and outdoor celebrity meetings.
b4k.org/index.html

Eligibility

  • Ages 3-17
  • Diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or disease
  • Priority given to children who have not had wishes granted by another organization

National non-profit foundation that provides once-in-a-lifetime dream hunting and fishing trips to children across the United States and Canada, age 18 and younger, with life-threatening illnesses.
catchadream.org

Eligibility

  • 18 years old or younger, with minimum ages for some hunting/fishing experiences
  • U.S. or Canadian citizen
  • Diagnosed with a life-threatening illness
  • Has not received another hunting or fishing grant

Offers weekend retreats and a summer camp in Kentucky for families of children with serious medical conditions.
courageouskids.org

Eligibility

  • Ages 5-17 (family retreats) or 7-16 (camp)
  • Must be diagnosed with one of the following
    • Asthma
    • Cancer
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Diabetes
    • Heart/Cardiovascular Disease
    • Blood Disorders
    • Muscular Dystrophy
    • Osteogenesis Imperfecta
    • Sickle Cell
    • Spina Bifida
    • Spinal Muscular Atrophy
    • Transplants

Brings people living with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges, and wounded veterans to live music experiences.
doitforthelove.org

Eligibility

  • All ages (serious illness) or ages 2-18 (severe disabilities or family trauma)
  • Has not previously received tickets through Do It For The Love

Children’s charity partner of the Merlin Entertainments Limited Group. Programs include tickets to select LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE Centers, Peppa Pig, and Madame Toussads parks.
merlinsmagicwand.org/usa

Eligibility

  • Ages 2-18
  • Facing one of the following:
    • Serious/Long-term Illness
    • Registered disability
    • Live in a permanent or temporary care home
    • Living in foster care
    • Recently adopted
    • Impacted by domestic violence
    • Impacted by domestic abuse
    • Impacted by bullying
    • Be the child of a terminally ill parent/legal guardian
    • Has a terminally ill parent/legal guardian/sibling
    • Has a recently deceased parent/legal guardian/sibling

One Wish Foundation gives a child a chance to escape from their everyday lives of dealing with their life-altering medical or social conditions in order to experience the great outdoors and all that it provides. This “One Wish” can be anything associated with the outdoors – whether it is a hunting, fishing, camping, four-wheeling, rafting, or any other outdoor recreation activity. onewishfoundation.org

Eligibility

  • Ages 6-18
  • Diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or disease
  • No previous grants for outdoor adventures

Provides families who have a child with a special health care need or disability the opportunity to visit and enjoy the “ultra-accessible”™ theme parks of Morgan’s Wonderland and Morgan’s Inspiration Island located in San Antonio, Texas.
projectangelfares.com

Nonprofit organization, dedicated to working with seriously and terminally ill children and their families to provide comfort and support. Families may work with the hospital treating their child to arrange a visit or contact the organization with the information at the bottom of the Parents page.
santashideawayhollow.com

Charitable organization focused on providing recreational activities for individuals with autism and other disabilities. We sponsor/support a variety of activities including vacations, family outings and social groups.
shareavision.org

Access passes with free lifetime admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies.
store.
usgs.gov/access-pass

Eligibility

  • Medically determined permanent disability

Team IMPACT provides children with serious illness and disability the opportunity to experience positive social-emotional development through the support of a team.
teamimpact.org

Eligibility

  • Ages 5-16
  • Diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness that requires ongoing treatment and/or extended hospital stays

Transportation

Using their own aircraft, and donating their time, hard-earned skills, and all flight expenses, volunteer pilots nationwide assist the health and well being of others.
aircarealliance.org

Mercy Medical Angels provides assistance in the air with commercial airline tickets and volunteer pilots, and on the ground with gas cards, bus and train tickets.
mercymedical.org/request-assistance

Disability- or Condition-Specific Agencies

Autism

The following organizations support individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Click the organization names for additional eligibility requirements.

Makes monthly grants for up to $100 of items off an Amazon wish list.
autismwish.org/make-a-wish

Eligibility

  • Ages birth-17
  • U.S. Resident
  • Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

Orthopedic Conditions

The following organizations support individuals with orthopedic conditions. Click the organization names for additional eligibility requirements.

Nonprofit foundation with the mission of enriching the lives of physically challenged children and young adults by granting sports and celebrity athlete wishes.
grantedwish.org

Eligibility

  • Ages 5-25
  • Diagnosed with a physical disability that falls within nominating criteria
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency

Santa's Little Hackers is an annual event put on by MaxMods. MaxMods is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation chartered to 'make the world accessible for all' by identifying adaptations and modifications to make the world work for individuals living with disabilities.
toysignup.santaslittlehackers.com

Eligibility

  • All ages
  • Must be in need of assistive technology to engage in play

Families with children who may benefit from switch-operated toys may contact this organization to find out if thier child is eligible to receive free adapted toys.

Contact

Natalie Wardega
Director of Operations
RePlay for Kids
natalie@replayforkids.org

Sensory Needs

The following organizations support individuals with sensory needs related to diagnoses like autism, Down syndrome and genetic conditions.

Ministry through LifeSpring Church in Valley City, Ohio, that makes and donates fidget quilts. To contact the ministry, email fidgetquilts@lifescc.net or call 1-440-476-1562.
fidgetquilts.lifescc.net

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