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How-To 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.

Wish-Granting Agencies & Partners

Agencies

Wish-granting agencies accept wish applications from families who meet eligibility requirements. Select an organization below to learn more.

Cherished Creations

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.

Visit cherishedcreations.org (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages 0–21
  • Diagnosed with a serious illness
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency
Kids Wish Network

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.

Visit kidswishnetwork.org (opens in a new window)

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
Lexington Dream Factory

Largest volunteer-driven wish-granting organization that grants dreams to children 3 through 18 who are either critically or chronically ill. The Lexington Dream Factory strives to provide hope and happiness for children with serious illness by making dreams come true.

Note: While Ohio does not have a chapter, Ohio families may select “Lexington, KY” on the request form.

Visit dreamfactoryinc.org (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages 3–18
  • Able to communicate verbally or nonverbally with switches, communication boards, or sign language
  • Critical or chronic illness must be documented and affirmed by a treating physician
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency
Make-A-Wish: Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana (OKI) Chapter

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

Visit wish.org/oki (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages 2½–18
  • Diagnosed with a critical illness
  • May not have had a wish granted with any other agency
Sunshine Foundation

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

Visit sunshinefoundation.org (opens in a new window)

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
Wishes Can Happen

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

Visit wishescanhappen.org (opens in a new window)

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
Workshop of Wishes (formerly A Special Wish Northeast Ohio)

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.

Visit workshopofwishes.org (opens in a new window)

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

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.

Give Kids the World Village

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

Visit gktw.org (opens in a new window)

Adventures, Events & Tickets

These organizations provide memorable experiences, outdoor adventures, event tickets and recreational opportunities. Select an organization below to learn more.

A Kid Again: Northern Ohio Chapter

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.

Visit A Kid Again’s Northern Ohio Chapter (opens in a new window)

Benefits for Kids Outdoor Wish Program

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

Visit Benefits for Kids (opens in a new window)

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
Brave Like Me

Through a unique array of youth adventure programs, pet therapy services and book donation programs, Brave Like Me creates moments of uninhibited joy for children experiencing complex medical conditions, disabilities and chronic childhood diseases.

Visit Brave Like Me’s programs (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages 6–17
  • Diagnosed with complex medical conditions, disabilities or chronic childhood diseases
Catch-a-Dream Foundation

National nonprofit 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.

Visit Catch-a-Dream Foundation (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

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

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

Visit Center for Courageous Kids (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages 5–17 for family retreats or 7–16 for camp
  • Must be diagnosed with one of the following:
    • Asthma
    • Cancer
    • Cerebral palsy
    • Diabetes
    • Heart or cardiovascular disease
    • Blood disorders
    • Muscular dystrophy
    • Osteogenesis imperfecta
    • Sickle cell disease
    • Spina bifida
    • Spinal muscular atrophy
    • Transplants
Do It For The Love

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

Visit Do It For The Love (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • All ages for serious illness or ages 2–18 for severe disabilities or family trauma
  • Has not previously received tickets through Do It For The Love
Merlin’s Magic Wand

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

Visit Merlin’s Magic Wand (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages 2–18
  • Facing one of the following:
    • Serious or long-term illness
    • Registered disability
    • Living in a permanent or temporary care home
    • Living in foster care
    • Recently adopted
    • Impacted by domestic violence
    • Impacted by domestic abuse
    • Impacted by bullying
    • Child of a terminally ill parent or legal guardian
    • Has a terminally ill parent, legal guardian or sibling
    • Has a recently deceased parent, legal guardian or sibling
One Wish Foundation

One Wish Foundation gives a child a chance to escape from their everyday life of dealing with 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, including hunting, fishing, camping, four-wheeling, rafting or another outdoor recreation activity.

Visit One Wish Foundation (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

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

Provides families who have a child with a special healthcare need or disability the opportunity to visit and enjoy the ultra-accessible theme parks of Morgan’s Wonderland and Morgan’s Inspiration Island in San Antonio, Texas.

Visit Project Angel Fares (opens in a new window)

Santa’s Hideaway Hollow

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 (opens in a new window) to arrange a visit or contact the organization using the information on its Parents page (opens in a new window) .

Visit Santa’s Hideaway Hollow (opens in a new window)

Share A Vision

Charitable organization focused on providing recreational activities for individuals with autism and other disabilities. The organization sponsors and supports activities including vacations, family outings and social groups.

Visit Share A Vision (opens in a new window)

U.S. National Parks

Access Passes provide free lifetime admission to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six federal agencies.

Learn about the National Parks Access Pass (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Medically determined permanent disability
Team IMPACT

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

Visit Team IMPACT (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

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

Transportation

These organizations help families travel for non-local medical care. Select an organization below to learn more.

Air Care Alliance

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

Visit Air Care Alliance (opens in a new window)

Angel Flight: Mercy Medical Angels

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

Request assistance from Mercy Medical Angels (opens in a new window)

Disability- or Condition-Specific Agencies

Autism

The following organizations support individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Select an organization below for additional eligibility requirements.

AutismWish

Makes monthly grants for up to $100 of items from an Amazon wish list.

Apply for an AutismWish grant (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages birth–17
  • U.S. resident
  • Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation Holiday Gift Card Program

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF) partners with autism organizations across the country to select and distribute holiday gift cards to families with the greatest need for financial assistance. The e-gift cards provide hope and a helping hand during the holiday season to randomly selected families with an autistic child.

Learn about the ASDF Holiday Gift Card Program (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Documentation must be submitted after selection.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation iPads for Kids Program

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF) distributes iPads each month using a random drawing system. Families may reapply each month.

Apply for the ASDF iPads for Kids Program (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
  • Must not have received an iPad from ASDF within the last three years

Complex Medical Conditions

The following organizations support families and children with complex medical or mental health conditions, particularly those facing hospitalization, grief or loss.

Brave Gowns

Brave Gowns is dedicated to transforming the hospital experience for patients of all ages by providing high-quality, comfortable and vibrant hospital gowns. Its mission is to ease fears and support patients’ dignity and hope during treatment.

Visit Brave Gowns (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Contact the organization for more information
Icing Smiles, Inc.

Delivers dream cakes at no charge to children impacted by critical illness—and to their siblings, too.

Visit Icing Smiles (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • The child must have a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition and be within two years of their most recent treatment, or require frequent or extended hospitalizations.
  • A list of conditions is available on the medical eligibility form. See “How do you verify a child’s eligibility?” in the Icing Smiles family FAQ (opens in a new window) .
Just Encourage Joy

Provides care packages and self-care outings for mothers of medically complex children. The organization also supports families in times of grief or with bursts of support.

Visit Just Encourage Joy (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Contact the organization for more information
LightZ of Hope

LightZ of Hope gives LED Bluetooth disco speakers to children who live with a disability or illness. The goal is to brighten their day with a small token of hope.

Nominate a child through LightZ of Hope (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Contact the organization for more information
Marissa’s Mission Foundation

Marissa’s Mission Foundation provides food, love, lodging and temporary assistance to families of medically complex children.

Visit Marissa’s Mission Foundation (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Contact the organization for more information
Songs of Love

The Songs of Love Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that creates free, personalized, original songs to uplift children and teens who are navigating difficult medical, physical or emotional challenges.

Learn about Songs of Love (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages 1–21
  • Currently facing life-threatening or life-limiting physical, mental or emotional challenges
The Superhero Project

The Superhero Project interviews children and teens about who they are beyond their diagnosis and how they want to make a positive difference in the world—their superhero mission.

Digital illustrators from its global League of Extraordinary Artists then design the alter egos the children described, creating visual representations of their strength, courage, creativity and resilience. Families receive posters of their superheroes to treasure.

Visit The Superhero Project (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Children and teens
  • Impacted by serious illnesses, disabilities, or complex mental health, developmental or medical needs

Orthopedic Conditions

The following organizations support individuals with orthopedic conditions. Select an organization below for additional eligibility requirements.

Granted Wish Foundation

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

Visit Granted Wish Foundation (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

  • Ages 5–25
  • Diagnosed with a physical disability that falls within the nominating criteria
  • May not have had a wish granted through another agency
Make Good

Make Good connects families of children with mobility challenges to vetted volunteer makers who 3D print custom Toddler Mobility Trainers (TMTs)—completely free to the requesting family. Other 3D printed assistive devices are also available by clicking Request a Device.

Visit Make Good (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

RePlay for Kids

Families with children who may benefit from switch-operated toys may contact this organization to determine whether their child is eligible to receive free adapted toys.

Contact

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

Santa’s Little Hackers

Santa’s Little Hackers is an annual event presented by MaxMods, a nonprofit organization that identifies adaptations and modifications intended to make the world work for individuals living with disabilities.

Sign up with Santa’s Little Hackers (opens in a new window)

Eligibility

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

Sensory Needs

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

Fidget Quilt Circle

Ministry through LifeSpring Church in Valley City, Ohio, that makes and donates fidget quilts.

Contact

Email: fidgetquilts@lifescc.net
Phone: 440-476-1562

Visit Fidget Quilt Circle (opens in a new window)

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