Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties, Inc.

It's our vision to grant a wish to every eligible child in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties, but we can't do this important work alone. We need your help!

We have hired key staff to drive quality programs and diversify revenue streams while also focusing our efforts on areas we believe offer the greatest opportunity for growth including planned, major, corporate and annual giving, as well as special events.

Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties has a staff of 7 dedicated individuals who serve in a number of roles supporting, wish-granting, volunteer management, operations and fundraising. We successfully raise funds year-round through individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, email and direct mail marketing campaigns, special events and seek in-kind donations of goods and services to support wishes.

Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties has been granting wishes for over 36 years and expects to continue granting wishes to critically ill children well into the future. Our chapter has increased wish granting and fundraising year over year and is the only wish-granting organization in our local community. No eligible child has ever been turned away and families do not pay for any portion of the wish.

We have granted over 2,000 wishes since our inception. Of every dollar raised, over $.77 goes directly towards granting a wish for a local child. Our success is due to our dedicated staff, connected board members, over 120 steadfast volunteers, and a diverse and balanced fundraising program.

Each year we are advancing toward our vision of being able to make every eligible child's wish come true and increase our fundraising efforts each year to deliver life-changing wishes.

A national study showed the wish experience can enhance a child's social, mental, and physical health, often providing a turning point in the battle against illness. It also helps parents feel less isolated and it strengthens the family as a whole. More results below:

Improved Health Status and State of Mind:
 96% of parents and health professionals observe increases in the child's emotional health.
 89% of nurses, doctors, and social workers believe that the wish experience can influence wish children's physical health.
 89% noticed an increased willingness for the child to work toward getting better
 81% of parents observed an increased willingness to comply with treatments.
 74% saw the wish as a positive turning point in the child's battle against their illness.
 97% of parents said the wish experience strengthened their families.
 92% saw their children feel re-empowered in their lives after the wish.
 84% observed a decrease in their child's anxieties or depression.