Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota

Make-A-Wish Minnesota’s goal is to grant the wish of every eligible child, every year in our state. From the moment a child learns their wish will be granted, there is something exciting for the entire family to plan for and dream about. And best of all, the wish transports the child away from doctor appointments and treatments. Parents and health professionals tell us that the wish experience influences the child’s well-being and even increases their compliance with treatment protocols.

To provide the best possible experience for wish kids we have comprehensive training for everyone involved in the wish granting process. Training modules have been developed for everyone from the volunteers that meet wish kids at the airport to wish grantors who spend time with wish kids and families during the wish process.

We train wish grantors to support wish kids as they decide on their one true wish. Tools and resources have been developed to aid them in the process, especially for our wish kids who have a difficult time communicating verbally and families where English is a second language.

Each wish kid is assigned a wish coordinator, who is responsible for making sure the wish logistics are taken care of in order to provide a stress-free wish experience. They arrange travel, payments for hotels and food, tickets to events, and are available to tackle any problems that appear.

Make-A-Wish Minnesota works closely with local social work and medical communities as they are frequently the source for medical referrals, the first step in the wish process. We also have close relationships with local hospitals because many of our wish kids are undergoing treatment during the wish experience. Local hospitals are also involved in supporting us in documenting the impact of a wish on the health of the wish child.

We also work with organizations, such as the Ronald McDonald house, as our wish families may be in residence there while their child undergoes treatment. We continually reevaluate and grow our relationships with other children’s organizations to further collaboration efforts.

Make-A-Wish Minnesota has granted over 5,800 wishes for Minnesota children and their families. The pandemic has affected our ability to grant travel wishes as we place the health of our wish families and wish kids above all else. We project that we will grant 110 wishes this year, but 400 kids will be eligible. Partner with us and help close this gap, prepare for when travel is safe for families, and achieve our vision: granting the wish of every eligible child, every year!