Imagine More Campaign Case for Support
I wish to be a pirate James, 7 brain tumor
Our Mission Together, we create life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses.
“He spends so much time being made to do things that he doesn’t want to do, like appointments, treatments, MRIs and IVs. There is a constant struggle over control. He really relished in the whole family flying somewhere for his wish … knowing that we had something light to look forward to, and to talk to him and get excited about was amazing.” Nancy, James’ mother (cover)
MID-ATLANTIC
Every Child Deserves the Power of a Wish For children battling critical illnesses, life can become consumed by treatments, hospital stays, uncertainty, and fear. A wish creates something extraordinary amid those challenges. It brings hope when it is needed most, strengthens families during difficult times, and provides children with joy, resilience, and lasting memories. At Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, we witness the transformative power of a wish every day. Whether a child dreams of becoming a pirate, a princess, an athlete, or an explorer, the wish experience helps restore a sense of possibility and wonder during one of the most difficult chapters of a family's life. Today, we stand at a defining moment. The need has never been greater, and with the support of visionary donors, we have an opportunity to expand our impact through our Imagine More Campaign.
Christopher Greicius His wish to be a police officer inspired the formation of Make-A-Wish
I wish to be a zookeeper Amelia, 4 leukemia
The Need More children need hope than ever before. As a $7 million organization, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic currently grants approximately 285 wishes each year across Maryland, Washington D.C., and northern Virginia. Yet the need continues to grow, calling on us to reach more children, serve more families, and grant more wishes. More Children Are Waiting. Today, 485 children are somewhere along their wish journey, waiting for the hope a wish can provide. More Than A Moment of Joy. Research shows children who receive a wish are 2.5 times more likely to avoid an unplanned hospitalization and 1.9 times more likely to avoid an emergency department visit.* More Hope. 95% of families report improvements in their child's emotional wellbeing after their wish. More Urgency Than Ever. This year, 14 children in our chapter passed away before receiving their wish, reminding us that every day matters.
No child should have to wait for the hope a wish can bring. Your investment in the Imagine More Campaign will help us reach more children and grant more wishes when it matters most. *Impact of Make-A-Wish experience on healthcare utilization; Patel, Anup D., 2019
Our Vision To become a $10 million organization granting at least 425 wishes annually by September 2029. This vision will allow us to deliver: More Wishes. Increase annual wish granting by nearly 50 percent, from 285 wishes to 425 wishes each year. More Hope. Reach more eligible children earlier in their medical journey. More Joy. Reduce wait times for wish children to experience the hope of a wish. More Impact. Build the infrastructure needed to sustain growth for years to come. More Lasting Memories. Give every child facing the most urgent medical needs the opportunity to experience a wish that creates lasting memories for their family to cherish forever.
The $26.5 million Imagine More Campaign will make this vision possible, transforming Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic into a $10 million organization capable of granting at least 425 wishes each year, creating approximately 140 additional wishes annually for children across Maryland, Washington D.C., and northern Virginia.
I wish to go on a train trip Hazael, 10 heart transplant
I wish to go to Walt Disney World Resort Nyla, 10 cancer
Pillars of the Imagine More Campaign The Imagine More Campaign focuses on three strategic investments that will transform how Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic serves children and families, making it possible to grant more wishes and deliver hope to more children across our region. The Wishing Place - designed for imagination, connection, and hope. The Wishing Place will be a mission-centered environment where children and families can imagine what's possible, explore wish ideas, and experience the hope of Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic in new and meaningful ways. Purposefully designed to support every stage of the wish journey, the space will feature interactive wish discovery experiences, creative and sensory-friendly areas, dedicated spaces for teens and siblings, a hub for volunteer engagement and training, family gathering areas, and welcoming places for wish reveals, celebrations, and community events. It will become the heart of the Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic experience, bringing together wish families, volunteers, donors, and partners to create lasting memories and inspire hope.
Wish Journey - where every step matters. Every wish is a journey, and every milestone matters. Beginning with Wish Discovery Days and continuing through wish planning, sendoff celebrations, and the return as Wish Alumni, children and their families will experience meaningful moments designed to build anticipation, celebrate achievements, and strengthen connections. Transportation, technology, innovative programming, and compassionate support will remove barriers so every family can fully experience the hope, strength, and joy that defines a wish journey.
Wish Experiences - more wishes, more hope, and more joy. Campaign investments in the Imagine More Campaign will provide the resources needed to grant more life-changing wishes each year, increasing our annual wish granting from 285 children today to 425 by September 2029. More children and their families across Maryland, Washington D.C., and northern Virginia will experience the hope, strength, and joy that only a wish can bring during one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Building the Vision The Imagine More Campaign is the result of nearly a year of strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, design exploration, and Board leadership. Every step has been intentionally taken to ensure this investment is mission-driven, financially sound, and positioned for longterm success.
Fall 2025: Strategic Growth Planning with McKinsey & Company Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic partnered with a team of five full-time McKinsey consultants to evaluate our long-term growth strategy. Through an analysis of giving trends, revenue performance, brand awareness, and fundraising opportunities, the team developed recommendations that shape our FY27–FY29 Strategic Plan. Key Outcome: Grow to a $10 million organization granting 425 wishes annually by creating The Wishing Place that strengthens mission delivery while generating new philanthropic support.
December 2025: Listening to our Community To validate the concept, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic surveyed Wish Granting Volunteers, leadership volunteers, wish alumni, major donors, and major donor prospects. Key Outcome: The feedback confirmed strong support for a renovated Wishing Place and generated ideas for engaging wish families, alumni, volunteers, and donors throughout the wish journey.
December 2025: Confirming Project Feasibility Working with our leasing partner, KNLB, we evaluated our lease terms, the feasibility of relocating, and renovation opportunities within our current headquarters. We determined that terminating the lease would result in significant financial penalties, making renovation of the existing space the most responsible and cost-effective path forward. Key Outcome: Confirmed renovation of existing headquarters was the most financially prudent solution.
January 2026: Board Endorsement During the annual Board retreat, leadership presented the McKinsey recommendations, stakeholder survey findings, and examples of similar spaces from other Make-A-Wish chapters. Key outcome: The Board endorsed continued exploration of the Imagine More Campaign.
January 2026: Design Partnership with Hatch X Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic partnered with Hatch X to lead the conceptual design process for The Wishing Place. Building on a longstanding relationship, Hatch X committed significant inkind expertise to help shape a mission-centered vision through collaborative planning with staff and stakeholders. Key Outcome: Established design partnership and created conceptual vision for The Wishing Place.
March–April 2026: Learning from Others Leadership and the Hatch X team visited museums, nonprofit headquarters, and communitycentered spaces throughout the region to explore innovative ways organizations engage visitors, donors, and families. These visits informed the design approach and helped identify best practices for creating an immersive, mission-focused environment. Key Outcome: Incorporated proven design concepts and engagement strategies into the vision for The Wishing Place.
June 2026: Investing in the Vision The Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic Board approved a $50,000 investment to develop architectural renderings, conceptual designs, and campaign materials. This investment demonstrates the Board's commitment to advancing the Imagine More Campaign and preparing the project for the next phase of fundraising. Key Outcome: Authorized the creation of campaign-ready renderings and materials, positioning the project for philanthropic investment.
September 2026: Leadership Investment Proposal Present the Imagine More Campaign to The Kahlert Foundation with a request for a transformational investment that will fund construction of The Wishing Place and launch the next phase of fundraising.
September–October 2026: Leadership Donor Engagement Share the Imagine More Campaign with lead donors and major donor prospects to test the case for support, gather feedback, and cultivate early leadership commitments.
October 2026: Launch the Imagine More Campaign Pending a favorable decision from The Kahlert Foundation, launch the Imagine More Campaign and begin the leadership phase of fundraising.
November 2026: Programming & Activation Planning Begin planning mission experiences, Wish Discovery Days, volunteer engagement, and donor programming that will bring the new space to life upon completion.
January 2027: Transforming the Space Bring the vision to life through a six to eight-week renovation of The Wishing Place.
March 2027: Wishing Place Dedication Officially open The Wishing Place and welcome wish children, families, volunteers, donors, and community partners to experience the transformed space.
2027 and Beyond – Bringing the Vision to Life Open The Wishing Place, launch year-round programming and mission experiences, and continue building support to expand wish granting to 425 children annually.
Imagine More The Wishing Place Imagine more possibilities... with The Wishing Place
A Place to Dream Every wish begins with imagination. During Wish Discovery Days, wish kids and their families will engage in creative play, hear from alumni about their wishes, and have conversations with Wish Managers and Wish Granting Volunteers to imagine all of the different wish possibilities available to them and determine their one true wish.
A Place to Have Hope The Wishing Place will welcome families throughout every stage of their wish journey. From wish sendoff celebrations to Wish Alumni star ceremonies, every milestone will be celebrated. Volunteers, donors, and community partners will create a place where every child feels supported, connected, and inspired.
I wish to meet Scottie Scheffler Caleb, 12 congenital heart disease
I wish to be a cowgirl Kionna, 6 cancer
Imagine More The Comfort Rooms Imagine more comfort... with a Family Meeting Room and a Sensory Space
Family Meeting Room The Family Meeting Room provides a comfortable setting for wish discovery conversations, wish planning meetings, volunteer introductions, donor visits, and family orientations. It offers families a private space to dream, ask questions, celebrate milestones, and prepare for the life-changing experience ahead.
Sensory Space Designed for children of all abilities, the Sensory Space offers a calming environment during Wish Discovery Days, volunteer activities, and special events. Interactive sensory elements create a place where children can relax, recharge, and comfortably participate in every aspect of the wish experience.
Imagine More The Creative Spaces Imagine more creativity... with a Color Your World Room and a Lego Collab Space
Color Your World Room Creativity becomes part of the wish journey through Wish Discovery Day art projects, holiday programming, family activities, and opportunities for children to create keepsakes that celebrate their wish. Every masterpiece becomes another reminder that imagination has no limits.
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LEGO Collab Space Children, siblings, corporate partners, and volunteers will gather for building challenges, STEM-inspired activities, and volunteer service projects during Wish Discovery Days and community events. Together, they will create far more than LEGO creations. They will build confidence, friendships, and joyful memories.
I wish to be a park ranger Sammy, 8 congenital heart disease
I wish to have high tea on the beach Nia, 4 rare disease
Imagine More The Gathering Spaces Imagine more independence... with a Gaming & Teen Room and a Wish Toy Store
Gaming & Teen Room Older wish children deserve experiences designed just for them. The Teen Lounge will host gaming tournaments, teen nights, alumni gatherings, and volunteerled activities that create friendships and community for wish kids who often feel isolated during treatment.
Wish Toy Store Every visit deserves to be celebrated. During Wish Discovery Days, birthday celebrations, volunteer events, and return visits, children can choose a special toy, game, or keepsake, turning every milestone into another joyful memory along their wish journey.
Imagine More The Inspirational Spaces Imagine more inspiration... with a Story Wall and a Local Legacy Wall
Story Wall Interactive digital displays will share the stories of local wish children through videos, photos, and testimonials. During donor visits, volunteer trainings, Wish Discovery Days, and community events, these stories will demonstrate the lifechanging impact of a wish.
Local Legacy Wall The Local Legacy Wall celebrates the thousands of wishes granted in Maryland, DC, and northern Virginia while recognizing the donors, volunteers, medical partners, and community leaders who make them possible. It will be prominently featured at donor recognition events, Wish Alumni ceremonies, and volunteer celebrations, inspiring future generations to continue the legacy.
I wish to have a purple party In memory of Kaleb brain tumor
I wish to see snow Shore, 9 lymphoma
Imagine More Wish Experiences Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the hope and healing that a wish can inspire. Through the Imagine More Campaign, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic will expand its ability to grant more life-changing wishes each year, reaching more children and families across our region with hope, strength, and joy.
More Wishes Granted Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the life changing impact of a wish. By increasing the number of wishes granted each year from 285 to 425, the Imagine More Campaign will ensure that more children and families receive hope when they need it most.
More Hope Delivered Every wish brings more than a moment of joy. It gives children and their families renewed hope, something positive to look forward to, and the strength to face the challenges of a critical illness with greater confidence and resilience.
I wish to be a nurse Sophyii, 11 autoimmune disorder
Imagine a future where no eligible child waits for the power of a wish. Today, hundreds of children across our region are waiting for hope, and together, we have the opportunity to change that. Through visionary philanthropy, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and community investment, we can transform Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic into a $10 million organization capable of granting at least 425 life changing wishes each year.
The Imagine More Campaign is our opportunity to do more. More wishes. More hope. More joy for children their families battling critical illnesses.
I wish to go to Bear Lake Klarese, 12 leukemia
6555 Rock Spring Drive, Suite 208, Bethesda, MD 20817 wish.org/midatlantic (301) 962-9474