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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: December 2025 Expires: December 2027

Make-A-Wish Mississippi

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

607 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 100
Ridgeland, MS, 39157

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Make-A-Wish Mississippi meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to grant the wish of every eligible child."

Year, State Incorporated:
1986, MS

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi (MAW MS) grants wishes for children with critical illnesses in Mississippi. Children between the ages of 2 and 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with a threatening medical condition are eligible to qualify for the organization's wish program. As reported by MAW MS, the organization granted 109 wishes during the year ended August 2024.

For the year ended August 31, 2024, Make-A-Wish Mississippi's program expenses were:

Wish Granting $2,111,625
Total Program Expenses $2,111,625

Chief Executive
Allison Tyler, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$171,826

Chair of the Board
Josh Smith

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Managing Director, Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services

Board Size
22

Paid Staff Size
14

*2024 compensation, as reported by the charity, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements

Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,634,221, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

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.

The following information is based on Make-A-Wish Mississippi's audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Special events, net $1,698,793
Cash contributions $1,262,060
Donated goods and services $547,368
Other income $236,410
Grants $126,000
Total Income $3,870,631

Programs: 77% Fundraising: 15% Administrative: 8%

Total Income $3,870,631
Total expenses: $2,758,840
  Program expenses $2,111,625
  Fundraising expenses $422,492
  Administrative expenses $224,723
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,111,791
Beginning Net Assets $3,482,375
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $4,594,166
Total Liabilities $540,968
Total Assets $5,135,134

Note: According to MAW MS’ audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2024, the organization received in-kind contributions of $547,368, including wish travel, goods, and services ($524,858) and professional services ($22,510).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Serving Mississippi