Annual Wishes Matter Newsletter 2014-15 | Page 18

Wishes by Managing our the Funds Numbers Pictured Below: Emily; Bryce Organization Make-A-Wish Colorado is part of the largest wish-granting organization in the world, with 62 chapters in the U.S. and its territories and 38 international affiliates serving nearly 50 countries. The Colorado chapter grants an average of 250 wishes annually to Colorado children and assists with the granting of wishes for more than 40 children from other Make-A-Wish chapters that involve a visit to Colorado. Services and Service Area Make-A-Wish Colorado grants wishes to children who have reached the age of 2½ and are younger than18 with a life-threatening medical condition, as confirmed by their own physician. We grant the wishes of every medically eligible child in the state who is referred to us and have never denied the wish of a qualified Colorado child. Our goal is to grant at least 240 wishes in 2015. Types of Wishes 71% Wish to Go Cost of a Wish The cost of each wish varies depending on the wish itself, number of family members to be included and the activities and excursions the child selects. The average cost of a Colorado wish is $7,500, with no expense to the family. Other than the medical condition and age, there are no other qualifications based on sex, race, religion, socioeconomic status or any other demographic category. Fundraising Ratio Seventy-six percent, or $0.76 of every dollar goes directly to program services. Four Wish Categories 18% Types of Wishes Wish to Have 9% Make-A-Wish Colorado provides exceptional wish experiences to the children we serve, and their families. Most wishes fall into one of four categories. This is the breakdown of last year’s wishes: I wish to go…. 71% of Colorado wishes involve travel. Destinations included Hawaii, San Diego and Florida. However, an amazing 43% of the travel wishes were to go to the Walt Disney World® Resort making Disney the most popular destination among the children we serve. I wish to have…. 18% of Colorado kids wished for such things as a shopping spree, a room makeover, a playhouse or play set, a computer, electronics or a big screen TV. I wish to meet…. 9% of Colorado wish kids asked to meet a favorite music, sports, TV or movie celebrity or a public figure. Wish to Meet 2% Wish to Be 18 ∙ Wish Colorado | 2014 – 2015 I wish to be…. 2% of Children search the depths of their imaginations when they wish to be someone for a day. Two percent of Colorado wish kids wanted to be someone, like a model, a princess or a super hero. Make-A-Wish Colorado is a Charity Navigator 3-star charity, an Accredited Charity of the Denver Better Business Bureau and a GuideStar Exchange Silver participant.