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September 21, 2025 2025 Giving Guide

Make-A-Wish Maine

Trailblaze Challenge: The finish line of the Trailblaze Challenge, a 23.4-mile hike where participants tackle the terrain of the Maine Hut Trail.

 

2026 Goals

The goal of Make-A-Wish Maine is to reach every eligible child. We collaborate with partners in the medical community to aid in this effort and a team of more than 200 volunteers state-wide to assist in delivering our mission. In our upcoming fiscal year, we have a goal of granting 90 wishes, which is an average of one wish every four days. Our mission serves children between the ages of 2.5-18 who have a critical illness.

Fundraising events/Opportunities

Wish Night: Our signature event in Southern Maine each fall with live music, entertainment, and dancing.

Trailblaze Challenge: A 23.4-mile hike in September where participants can tackle the terrain of the Maine Hut Trail – all in one amazing day!

Wishing Under the Stars Gala: An evening of celebration in Bangor with an auction, entertainment, and dancing.

Tee Up for Wishes: A golf tournament hosted by the Young Leaders Council.

Share the Power of a Wish Telethon: A day-long celebration of the Make-A-Wish Maine mission presented by WGME CBS13.

We are always looking for corporate partners and volunteers for these inspiring events and more! Learn more at wish.org/maine.

Giving Opportunities

We depend on individuals, companies, and community partners through cash, in-kind, and volunteer support to deliver our mission. We welcome the opportunity to share more information about how companies can help strengthen our communities by providing these essential, life-changing experiences for Maine wish kids while inspiring its employees and customers to be heroes at the same time. From annual appeal donations and event sponsorship to cause marketing and WishMakers at Work, there are many ways a business can make a difference in the life of Maine’s wish kids and we look forward to discussing how a partnership would benefit both Make-A-Wish and the companies we work with.

Volunteer Opportunities

Your time and unique talents are critical to bringing strength and hope to wish kids when they need it the most. In fact, our volunteers are at the heart of every wish experience. 

Make-A-Wish volunteers consider their work impactful and meaningful. And their efforts are rewarded – not in dollars or cents, but in the incredible difference they make in the lives of our wish kids. Volunteers even have the freedom to choose when and how they would like to help transform lives in our community.

Whether its volunteering at an event, a wish send-off, or collecting items through a wish closet drive, there are many ways for businesses and individuals to volunteer their time. Learn more at wish.org/maine/volunteer.

At A Glance

Established: 1992 / Employees: 8.5 / Annual revenue: $3,198,336

Top funding sources

61% Special events

27% Direct public support

9% Corporate support

3% Grants

Contact

66 Mussey Road

Scarborough, ME 04074

(207) 221-2306

www.wish.org/maine 

Awards/Accolades

Make-A-Wish is the No. 1 Most Trusted Nonprofit Operating Locally Across 50 States; No. 2 Most Loved Nonprofit in the U.S.; and Top 20 Most Admired Employers (2024 Morning Consult®).

Awarded Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and the highest possible rating as a Four-Star Charity from Charity Navigator.

Mission Statement

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

Service locations

We serve the entire state of Maine, granting wishes in all 16 counties. Since 1992, Make-A-Wish Maine has granted over 1,975 wishes to local children.

Leadership

Brian Franks
President & CEO (and Wish Dad)

Board Officers

Harry Lanphear, MBA, Board Chair, Management Consultant

Susan Walther, Board Vice Chair, Vice President, WGME/WPFO - Sinclair Broadcast Group

Philip Doucette, Board Treasurer, Managing Partner, Austin Associates

Jessica Madsen, Board Secretary, Principal, RSU 16 (and Wish Mom)

Board Members

Ryan Albert, Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources & Employee Development, Bangor Savings Bank

Airlia Ball, Real Estate Agent, NextHome

Jon Breed, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Avangrid

Jessica Chamberlain , Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Win Dodge, Owner, Bill Dodge Auto Group

Emily Downing, Director, Corporate Communications, Unum

Adam Dunbar, Partner, Steward Partners Global Advisory

Emily Getchell, Vice President, Regional Planning Consultant, Fidelity Investments

Katelyn Isaac, M.S., ACNP, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Oncology/Hematology, Maine General Medical Center

Ann Marie Lane, Executive Vice President, Chief Growth Officer, TruChoice FCU

Ellen Miller, CEO, Mpowered, LLC

Andrew Smith, CPA, Principal, Baker Newman Noyes

John Stibal, Senior Vice President, Sales and Client Management, Unum

Sarah Tracy, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP

Katie Treem, Realtor, Nichols & Treem Real Estate/Keller Williams

Peter Van Alstine, CPA, Retired, Allen Financial Group

Jeremy Ward, Chief Information Security Officer, Tyler Technologies