Mission:

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

Watch the video below to see how Make-A-Wish began with one child’s simple wish to be a police officer.

We believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer. This one belief guides us in everything we do. It inspires us to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids we serve.

Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida began in 1994 with a 13 year old girl’s wish to meet Dolly Parton. Since then, we have granted nearly 7,000 wishes. Our chapter covers 45 counties, from Orlando up to the Panhandle. We have three offices—our main office in Maitland and regional offices in Jacksonville and Tallahassee.

All the money we raise stays locally to grant wishes of children in our communities. The average cost of a wish is $8,000. The whole family, including siblings, is a part of the wish, and the entire cost of the wish is completely covered. In Fiscal Year 2024, our chapter has a goal of granting 400 wishes.

Wishes typically fall into 5 categories:

1. I wish to go
2. I wish to be
3. I wish to have
4. I wish to meet
5. I wish to give.

A wish come true empowers a child with a life-threatening medical condition to fight harder against their Illness. When they are granted a wish, they get more than just a great experience for a day, two days, or a week. A wish can have a transformative impact on the quality of life for the child and his or her entire family.  89% of medical professionals believe that a wish can positively influence a child’s physical health.

For more info, or to refer a child to Make-A-Wish, visit our website at www.wish.org/cnfl/jacksonville.