I know 1st hand that this organization does not grant wishes entirely how they make themselves out to. Even though they help you financially for incidentals, you shouldn't have to use that money to make your actual wish take place. They do not get to know you on a personal level to find out about your child's disease to know how to accommodate you. They do it their way with all of their donated services and then make you feel as if you've done something wrong when there are issues. I've had a child that was able to go through Make a Wish and let me tell you, this place doesn't even come close. Very unprofessional.
Review from Guidestar
This charity has been professionally rated THE WORST CHARITY IN AMERICA
This is based on a yearlong investigation by the Tampa Bay Times and The Center for Investigative Reporting
http://www.tampabay.com/topics/specials/worst-charities1.page
Impact? Life-changing, but NOT in a good way.
All you have to do is do a search on "charity navigator" and view the IRS tax statements for any of these organizations. Kids Wish Network is run by a Anna Lanzatella in Florida. The tax statement for 2012 seems to show that their expenditures are excessive. Anna's salary was $119,000 aprox. in 2012
Secretary Barbara Askin's compensation was appox $89,000 in 2012.
The charity navigator site also lists the ratings of many organizations.
Each individual has to investigate, have an accountant look at the figures and then decide for themselves.
I was called several years ago and asked for a donation. I mistakenly thought I was talking to the "Make a Wish Foundation" and gave $15. When I got my receipt in the mail I realized my mistake. Now they call me at least twice a year, I have asked them to put me on their "do not call list" with no results. They continue to call and tell me that I have been donating for years which is false, I only donated once. I have threatened them with legal action, and they contiune to call. I finally found out how to block their number thru my phone service--what a nuisance.
isn't it interesting that all the people who have written "positive" reviews never provide their full name, address, organization name or address, or any other way of someone actually being able to contact them to verify that in fact donations were made? i think the Breiners probably either wrote these themselves or paid other people (as part of their "expenses") to write them. What a complete sham! i can't believe KWN continues to be able to exist.
Kids Wish only gets 12% of the donated revenue! This is a scam! Simple as that.
Review from CharityNavigator
They are currently under investigation. Check out the "Kids charity worker turns whistleblower" story on TBA.com
