Better Business Bureau Report for
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois

Better Business Bureau Report issued June 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires June 2013


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois
Address: 640 N. LaSalle Drive
Suite 280
  Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-602-9474
800-978-9474
Web Address: www.wishes.org
Also known as:Make-A-Wish
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:Make-A-Wish Foundatin of Northern Illinois
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central Illinois

Year, State Incorporated: 1985, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Since 1985, the Foundation has granted more than 9,000 wishes in Illinois.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois provides magical wish experiences to local children with life-threatening medical conditions. Our volunteers meet with wish children to determine their wish and then work with the Make-A-Wish staff to plan and execute the wish experience.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois's program expenses were:

  
Wish Granting 9,459,573
Public Information 56,797
Total Program Expenses: $9,516,370
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Stephanie Springs, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*: 

Chair of the Board: Peter Anthony
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President and CEO, UGN, Inc.

Board Size: 26

Paid Staff Size: 40

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, radio, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements, cause-related marketing
Fund raising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $8,688,078, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois incurred joint costs of $20,308 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $10,154 was allocated to program expenses, $10,154 was allocated to fund raising expenses, and $ was allocated to administrative expenses.
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Tax Status

               

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 5,601,316
In-Kind contributions 2,744,004
Special events 1,324,614
Grants 342,758
other income 9,782
Investment income -347,158
Total Income $9,675,316


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 11%  Administrative: 5% 

Total income $9,675,316
Program expenses $9,516,370
Fund raising expenses 1,291,186
Administrative expenses 596,918
Total expenses $11,404,474
Expenses in Excess of Income (1,729,158)
Beginning net assets 5,217,299
Other Changes in Net Assets (146,929)
Ending net assets 3,341,212
Total liabilities 4,438,074
Total assets $7,779,286


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