Make-A-Wish Hawaii
Meets Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Make-A-Wish Hawaii meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses."
Year, State Incorporated:
1982, HI
Make-A-Wish Hawaii (MAW Hawaii) reports that it works to grant life-changing wishes for children and their families experiencing critical illness. The organization facilitates dream experiences for wish kids and their families, volunteers, donors, sponsors, medical professionals, and communities. MAW Hawaii believes making a wish come true can give a child the courage to comply with their medical treatments and provide optimism for them and their families. In 2023, the organization reported it brought 85 wishes to life.
For the year ended August 31, 2023, Make-A-Wish Hawaii's program expenses were:
Program services | $2,995,822 |
Total Program Expenses | $2,995,822 |
Chief Executive
Trini Kaopuiki Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$203,921
Chair of the Board
Cayenne Pe'a
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Principal and Co-Founder, Alaka’i Development
Board Size
24
Paid Staff Size
28
*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Telemarketing, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation
Fundraising costs were 25% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,434,559, 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 Hawaii's audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
Grants | $195,750 |
Investment income, net | $197,783 |
In-kind contributions | $577,792 |
Internal special events, net | $1,323,887 |
Contributions | $1,337,130 |
Other income | $1,366,449 |
Total Income | $4,998,791 |
Programs: 64% Fundraising: 19% Administrative: 17%
Total Income | $4,998,791 |
Total expenses: | $4,685,919 |
Program expenses | $2,995,822 |
Fundraising expenses | $872,328 |
Administrative expenses | $817,769 |
Other expenses | $0 |
Income in Excess of Expenses | $312,872 |
Beginning Net Assets | $6,358,280 |
Other Changes In Net Assets | $2,814 |
Ending Net Assets | $6,668,338 |
Total Liabilities | $1,768,391 |
Total Assets | $8,436,729 |
Note 1: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2023, MAW Hawaii received in-kind contributions totaling $905,471 in the form of wish related travel, goods, and services ($425,616), special events ($327,679), other ($132,300), office space ($16,308), and property and equipment ($3,568).
Note 2: In the above financial statements, "other changes in net assets" refers to a loss on disposal of equipment.
Note 3: In finding that MAW Hawaii meets Standard 8, which calls for a minimum of 65% of total expenses being spent on program activities, BBB WGA considered that, although the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, report total program expenses of $2,995,822 or 64% of total expenses, program expenses were significantly affected by COVID-19 and travel restrictions. As stated by the charity, “In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, on March 10, 2020, in conjunction with the Make-A-Wish America National Medical Advisory Council, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America issued instructions to pause travel and large gathering wishes until it was deemed medically safe for our vulnerable population and their families. In addition, the program expense ratio was impacted due to the MAW Hawaii’s inability to grant travel wishes. Toward the end of fiscal year 2024, MAW Hawaii began to emerge from Pandemic operating conditions and international wish travel was resumed. National efforts are underway to return to pre-pandemic wish granting and fundraising efforts.”
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