Wish-Granting Experiences & Gifts
When a child has a long-term illness or disability, it can be tough for families to find the time or resources to raise their spirits. Wish-granting foundations help kids to just be kids, even while facing a difficult time. These organizations lighten the load on families, granting wishes ranging from a Disney vacation to a new computer game.
If your child has a serious illness or medical condition they may be eligible to receive a gift or have a wish granted through one of the organizations listed in this guide. The organizations listed in this resource guide are independently operated. Please reach out directly to the organizations listed to learn more about eligibility and available opportunities.
Special Events, Trips & Experiences
Wishes can take many forms. These organizations and others like them offer a variety of different experiences for seriously ill children and their families.
Make-A-Wish Foundation is one of the most well-known wish-granting organizations for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Special Spectators creates VIP, all-access, game-day experiences for seriously ill children and their families at sporting events across the United States.
Blue Skies Ministries is a Christian organization that offers weeklong beach camps to lift families above the clouds of childhood cancer. Parents and children spend a week with others facing similar challenges, who can truly relate to what they are going through.
Camp Sunshine is located on Sebago Lake in Maine. It provides retreats combining respite, recreation, and support for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through the various stages of a child’s illness. There is even a physician on-site to ease the worries of families.
David’s Refuge provides respite, resources, and support to parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions, including two-night vacations for caregivers to meet others in the same situation and enjoy some much-needed downtime.
Deliver the Dream provides healing retreats that enable families of children living with a disability, serious illness, or crisis to build bonds and form relationships with other families who are experiencing the same thing. They are mostly known for their free therapeutic programs for children and families.
Do It For The Love is a wish-granting nonprofit organization that brings people with life-threatening illnesses and children with severe challenges to live concerts, working in the past with musicians such as Billie Eilish and Lee Brice. Their goal is to inspire joy, hope, and lasting celebratory memories in the face of severe illness or trauma through the healing power of music.
Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, nonprofit "storybook" resort in Central Florida. There, children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations.
The Granted Wish Foundation is for children and young adults aged 5-25 who have physical disabilities and wish to meet a professional athlete.
One Wish Foundation offers children who have a life-altering condition an outdoor experience of a lifetime, from fishing to camping to rafting and more.
Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids with Cancer provides anonymous financial assistance to families with children in the final stages of terminal cancer, allowing them to make memories as a family.
The Dream Factory is for children aged 3-18. It is one of the few organizations that not only grants wishes for critically ill but also chronically ill children, believing that every child with an illness deserves hope and relief.
Marty Lyons Foundation grants wishes ranging from cruises to musical tickets to seats at sporting events. Children aged 3-17 who have been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness are eligible.
Take a Breather Foundation grants wishes to inspire hope and happiness for those aged 3 and up who are battling Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
Search & Application Tips
Before submitting an application or request for a wish, carefully read materials provided by the organization on their website to make sure you meet the application criteria.
Talk to your child’s physician or care team before pursuing a wish that involves travel. A physician familiar with your child’s condition can help assess special needs or restrictions related to travel.
Send thank you notes and pictures after you receive support from an organization. Their staff and volunteers will be grateful to see how their work touched your life.
It is common for an organization to temporarily suspend a program for any number of reasons. If you find that a resource is unavailable, make a note to check back later.
There are many community service or charitable organizations that give help in local communities. Easterseals, Elks Lodge, Kiwanis, Lions Clubs, and Junior Leagues, are among the service organizations that often help families in need. Each local chapter manages its own programs, grants, and gifts. Contact the local chapters of the organizations listed here, to see if they can provide assistance to your family.
Gifts & Care Packages
Sometimes, a small wish or hospital pick-me-up is just the boost of encouragement a child needs.
Club NEGU sends encouraging gifts to children who are actively fighting cancer. Their JoyJars are filled with toys and activities to keep patients entertained in the hospital.
Little Wish Foundation grants “little wishes,” such as visits from a therapy dog or a new toy, to pediatric oncology patients.
The Desi Strong Foundation provides dolls with features similar to children battling cancer.
Ari's Bears delivers stuffed bears to children battling serious illnesses.
Icing Smiles delivers custom cakes and other sweet treats to children battling serious illnesses.
Cherished Creations seeks to improve the lives of seriously ill children up through age 21 by fulfilling wishes for practical lifestyle needs like wheelchair ramps and educational devices, as well as other gifts including toys and trips.
Find More Resources on Red Treehouse
Check out our Wish Granting & Recreation resource page for additional organization listings.
Find financial support for your family’s everyday needs.