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2026 Annual Report

Annual Report Video

Mission Statement

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Vision Statement

To grant the wish of every eligible child.

Yellow Star

Have you ever thought about volunteering with us?

Make-A-Wish Iowa couldn't do the work we do without our 400-plus incredible volunteers! We have over 320 active volunteers who grant wishes and assist in the wish discovery process. In addition, we have more than 100 volunteers across the state who give countless hours to support our mission by assisting with special fundraising events, including our annual spring galas. Volunteers are the backbone of our mission, and we are so grateful for them.

Whether you're new to volunteering or looking to jump back in, we're here to support you every step of the way. If you're interested in learning more about volunteering or need assistance to get back to granting wishes, please reach out to Diane Heckman, our volunteer wish discovery and relations manager, at dheckman@iowa.wish.org.

Diane will provide the tools you need to assist a wish child on their full wish journey. We'll guide you through any necessary paperwork and provide online refresher training. Depending on where you left off, we'll pair you with a mentor volunteer to assist with making it a successful, positive experience. Wish granting is such a powerful way to get hands-on with our mission. These precious kids and families are the strongest people we know. We would absolutely love to have you join us in volunteering!

Be part of the wish

Behind every life-changing wish is a community of people willing to give their time, talents and hearts. Make-A-Wish Iowa volunteers help bring hope, strength and joy to children with critical illnesses and their families. Watch the video to see the impact volunteers can make, and discover how you can help make wishes come true across Iowa.

Learn More

Chair Opportunities

Do you live in the Riverbend, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids or Sioux City area and want to get more involved? Contact us today at 515-334-2636 to learn how!

Burlington
    • Area Chair:
    • Don Roelfs
    • Wish Chair:
    • Matt and Kelly Prickett
Cedar Valley
    • Area Chair:
    • Jennifer Bainbridge
    • Wish Chair:
    • Angie Edgington
Clinton
    • Area Chair:
    • Barb Jacobsen
    • Wish Chair:
    • Kelly Petersen
Council Bluffs
    • Area Chair:
    • Denise Jones
    • Wish Chair:
    • Dawn Cundiff
Dubuque
    • Area Chair:
    • Donna Kuhlman
    • Wish Chair:
    • Jennifer Chambers
Iowa City
    • Area Chair:
    • Wendy Mayer
    • Wish Chair:
    • Trina Haasis-Arp
Mason City
    • Area Chair:
    • Nancy Lund
    • Wish Chair:
    • Trina Haasis-Arp

Make an Impact Quickly

  • Amazon wish list

    Help create unforgettable experiences for wish kids by purchasing items off our Amazon wish list.

    Go to Amazon

  • Venmo

    An easy way to make a quick impact! Donate via Venmo to grant a life-changing wish today.

    Go to Venmo

  • Online donation

    When you donate to Make-A-Wish Iowa, you're giving children renewed strength to fight their illnesses and uniting entire communities.

    Donate Now

Referral Sources

We're grateful to everyone who helped connect eligible children with Make-A-Wish Iowa between Sept. 1, 2025—Aug. 31, 2026.

  • Allergy Institute PC(Iowa)

    • Dr. Alladdin Abosaida

  • Avera - Lakes Regional Family Medicine

    • Zachary Borus

  • Blank Children's Hospital

    • Amy Messerly

    • Becca Schmit (Muhlenbruck)

    • Karen Villarroel Gomez

    • Dr. Meghan Ryan

    • Morgan Badtram

  • ChildServe

    • Leah Brandon

  • North Iowa Community School District

    • Cassidy Gelhaus

  • University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital

    • Benjamin Hale

    • Courtney Vassiliades

    • Deena McAndrew

    • Dimah Saade

    • Erica Carlisle

    • John M. Callahan

    • Kaylee Golemo

    • Libby Brosius

    • Linda Boehmer

    • Melissa Thompson

    • Montanna Popp

    • Dr. Rebecca Weiner

    • Stephany Walk

Referrals can come from medical professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as well as nurses, social workers, child-life specialists, parents or legal guardians, and family members with detailed knowledge of a child's current medical condition. To learn more about the referral process contact Allyson Naeve at anaeve@iowa.wish.org.

Refer a Child

Medical Considerations for Wishes

A wish child's medical needs can present numerous challenges in their everyday life and throughout their wish journey. Make-A-Wish staff are equipped with the experience, resources and compassion to help families navigate these challenges, ensuring every wish child can safely experience the hope and healing that a wish brings.

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Make-A-Wish Iowa Financials

Life-changing wishes are funded by everyday people who take action to support children with critical illnesses. Monetary contributions are essential to making sure every eligible child in Iowa can have a transformational wish experience. Every gift, large or small, is crucial to bringing hope, strength and joy to wish kids fighting their toughest battle.

Fiscal Year 2025Year ended Aug. 31, 2025
Total Revenue* $4,761,660
Total Expenses $4,794,858
*Without donor restrictions and includes in-kind support
Operating Expenses
Wish Granting $3,331,369
Fundraising $875,467
Admin $588,022
View Our Most Current Financial Documents

Celebrating 40 years of wishes

For 40 years, donors, volunteers, wish families, community partners, board members, staff and supporters have helped bring hope, strength and joy to children facing critical illnesses across Iowa.

Make-A-Wish Iowa is excited to enter its 40th birthday year, and we want our entire community to be part of what comes next.

Celebrate With Us Watch Video

Over The Years

  • 1987

    1987

    Make-A-Wish Iowa became an official chapter and started its first year of granting wishes to children across the state of Iowa.

  • 1989

    1989

    Make-A-Wish partnered with newly created Give Kids The World Village to host its first families visiting Walt Disney World® Resort as their wish.

  • 1990

    1990

    Make-A-Wish formally shifted its language to say it serves children with life-threatening medical conditions.

  • 1993

    1993

    Make-A-Wish Iowa debuted the inaugural Des Moines Gala, an evening dedicated to granting wishes for local children.

  • 1995

    1995

    The inaugural Make-A-Wish Iowa Clinton Gala brought together supporters to raise money for wish kids.

  • 1996

    1996

    Jolly Holiday Lights was created as a fundraising event for Make-A-Wish Iowa. Jolly Holiday Lights raised enough funds in its first year to grant 20 wishes.

  • 1999

    1999

    Make-A-Wish Iowa hosted the inaugural Riverbend Gala, beginning a new tradition of support for local wish kids.

  • 2002

    2002

    Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity named Make-A-Wish as its national charity. Since the program’s inception, the University of Iowa and Iowa State University Chi Omegas have raised over $200,000 and helped grant over 20 Iowa wishes.

  • 2010

    2010

    On April 29, 2010, the first World Wish Day was celebrated.

  • 2020

    2020

    Make-A-Wish Iowa granted its 4,000th wish — "I wish to have a cattle trailer."

  • 2021

    2021

    The Gerdin Charitable Foundation partnered with Make-A-Wish Iowa to grant 150 wishes over the next three years — the single largest donation Make-A-Wish Iowa had ever received.

  • 2023

    2023

    Morning Consult ranked Make-A-Wish as the No. 1 Most Trusted Nonprofit operating locally across all 50 states.

  • 2024

    2024

    The first World Wish Month was established to celebrate the entire month of April.

  • 2026

    2026

    Make-A-Wish Iowa granted its 5,000th wish — "I wish to have a puppy."

Make-A-Wish® Iowa Videos

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