Where Does The Money Go?
Since 1997, Kids Wish Network has been devoted to improving the well-being and quality of life for sick children. As a nationally recognized 501 (c) 3 charitable organization, Kids Wish Network is committed to creating special and lasting memories for the thousands of children positively affected by our unique programs each year. In keeping with our mission, we believe in celebrating life and encouraging our wish families and kids to remain hopeful. Our efforts are made possible through the generosity of caring individuals, corporations and foundations across the United States.
One of the important things our donors want to know is that their dollars are being used to benefit our mission. To ensure that this is the case, Kids Wish Network established our Guardian Angel Fund, with a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. Donations directed to this special restricted fund go directly toward program services ensuring that 100% of your contribution benefits the children we serve. To our knowledge Kids Wish Network is the only wish-granting organization that offers the ability to direct every penny of your contribution, to program services. All contributions received through this website are directed to the Guardian Angel Fund.
Unlike other national organizations, Kids Wish Network works through one central office. Technology has allowed us to eliminate the need for expensive chapters and duplication of overhead. But, like all non-profit organizations we have operating expenses to maintain our office and pay the bills. To help meet these costs and fulfill our programs, we often use professional fundraisers to conduct telephone and direct mail campaigns.
Our professional fundraisers have three specific and important objectives: first, they seek to find children in need of our wish-granting services; second is public outreach, they strive to inform people who might not otherwise hear of Kids Wish Network and our important message; and third, they are challenged to acquire new donors to secure the funds to meet our mission. Contracts with fundraising agencies vary; some guarantee as much as 40% of gross revenues. Others operate on an hourly rate. In any case, only reputable, licensed firms are used. While these costs are higher than we would like, they are necessary to ensure that a national organization reaches the individuals that most need our services.
View the Kids Wish Network 990 for 2006
Financial FAQ's
Is Kids Wish Network governed by any over-sight reporting agency?
Are Kids Wish Network financials audited?
Is Kids Wish Network registered with the Better Business Bureau?
What is the average cost of a wish?
If I want to make a larger donation, how much will benefit the kids?
Does Kids Wish Network use professional fundraising companies?
Can I donate anonymously?
Can we sponsor a child's wish in our area?
Can I make a donation to Kids Wish Network on behalf of someone else?
Financial FAQ's
Is Kids Wish Network governed by any over-sight reporting agency?
Kids Wish Network is a 501(c) 3 charitable organization. As such, the Internal Revenue Service requires the filing of a 990 informational return on a yearly basis that is open for public inspection and can be viewed on the Internet at www.guidestar.org. In addition, we are registered with and comply with the laws governing charitable organizations in all 50 states. Each state has its own requirements and over-sight agencies. Our non-profit foundation was organized in the State of Florida and the agency responsible for oversight of our charitable solicitation and registration is Florida's Division of Consumer Services. They can be reached toll free at 1-800-435-7352.
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Are Kids Wish Network financials audited?
In a further effort to provide our supporters with timely and accurate information, we voluntarily undergo an independent annual audit of our finances by an independent accounting firm. We also take the unprecedented measure of having the same rigorous audit standards performed on each and every individual wish to ensure the accuracy of the amount spent fulfilling the wish. Upon request we will be happy to provide private citizens and organizations with the same information supplied to the agencies that regulate charitable organizations.
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Is Kids Wish Network registered with the Better Business Bureau?
From its inception, Kids Wish Network has kept administrative costs below 5%. In order to keep these costs to a minimum we do not subscribe to reporting service requests from organizations not sanctioned by a government over-sight agency; I.E: the BBB, or other consumer unions who often require listing fees. In addition, some of these bureaus do not subscribe to commonly accepted accounting principles when evaluating charitable organizations. State agencies were expressly set up to provide consumer protection, at no cost to the foundation or our supporters, and we feel they provide the most direct, accurate and unbiased information available. If you are unsure about how to contact your state agency, please contact us.
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What is the average cost of a wish?
The cost of a wish varies dramatically from child to child depending on the type of wish they choose. If you were to take the direct costs spent on wishes and divide it by the number of wishes an organization performs, you could calculate an average of the direct costs per wish. This figure, however, does not include the time any paid staff members devoted to the wish or the overhead necessary to conduct support operations. Kids Wish Network is unique in that all wish files are audited and reviewed independently, therefore you can rely on the accuracy in the numbers of wishes granted and the cost of those wishes.
Our wish costs are generally substantially lower than the average for wish-granting organizations because we have made it part of our mission and policy to actively seek the participation of the business community in a non-traditional way. In addition to cash donations, we ask businesses to participate by donating goods and services to help fulfill individual wishes whenever possible. We believe seeking their active involvement is worth the extra time and effort both from a community spirit standpoint and because our strategy leaves us with a larger cash reserve to help more kids when we do have to buy direct to fulfill a child's wish.
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If I want to make a larger donation, how much will benefit the kids?
Kids Wish Network created the Guardian Angel Fund, which was initiated with a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation, to specifically and uniquely address donation distribution concerns. Any donation may be directed to this fund, whereby 100% of the donation will be used for direct program service costs. Our supporters who have named Kids Wish Network as the beneficiary of a trust, estate or insurance policy, or other planned giving program, direct the funds to this account.
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Does Kids Wish Network use professional fundraising companies?
Kids Wish Network has chosen to keep internal operations focused on fulfilling wishes. As such, we contract with professional fundraisers to assist us. We audit these companies to ensure they meet professional standards. More importantly, we require these companies to ask everyone they approach on our behalf, if they are aware of a child in need of our services. The majority of children we serve are located by these fundraising companies.
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Can I donate anonymously?
Yes, we recognize that many of our supporters, from individuals to corporations and celebrities, may choose to help our wish kids without public recognition. All requests for privacy are strictly adhered to.
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Can we sponsor a child's wish in our area?
Simply go to the Meet our Wish Kids section of the website and click on a child in your area. If you do not see a child listed in your area, e-mail or call the Wish Department toll free at 888-918-9004 for additional information on children in need of your help. We do not list all of our wish kids on our website for privacy reasons and the status of current wishes can change daily.
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Can I make a donation to Kids Wish Network on behalf of someone else?
If you would like to donate a gift on someone's behalf, you can do so on our web site by clicking on this link. An email and/or card notification will be sent to the recipient of the gift with your personal note. For more information, please call 888-918-9004.
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