Fast Facts
Established in 1980 as a non-profit corporation, the Foundation’s inspiration was in the dreams of a little Phoenix boy with leukemia who wanted to be a policeman. The first official wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona was to seven-year-old Bopsy who wanted to be a fireman.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona is the founding chapter. There are currently 67 chapters in the United States and its territories.

The Foundation is proud to have begun as a grass roots organization. Our volunteers continue to be the heart of Make-A-Wish Foundation. Throughout the state of Arizona we currently have 450+ volunteers and welcome other interested individuals.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona has granted more than 3,200 wishes. Nationally, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted nearly 165,000 wishes since 1980.

Children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18 years old who have been determined by a physician to have a life-threatening medical condition are eligible to receive a wish.

Wish referrals are coming in faster than the funds needed to support them.

All wish expenses are fully covered, including any travel and spending money. Our objective is to provide the child and family members with joyful memories and time that is as worry-free as possible.

The average cost of granting a wish is $6,750.

Because it believes in the privacy of its donors, the Make-A-Wish Foundation NEVER solicits by phone or door-to-door.