Our Chapter

Founded in 1985, Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley has granted the wishes of more than 1,700 local children in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Kings, Tulare, and Inyo counties.

Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties finances endeavors through corporate sponsorships, special events, foundation grants, and individual contributions. However, we do not solicit funds by telephone and receive no federal or state funding. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, all contributions are deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our financial statements are audited locally by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. 

At Make-A-Wish, we take our responsibility for the monies donated to our cause very seriously. For full financial details, please review our most recent FY22 Audited Financial Statements and our latest 990.

(EIN): 77-0098671

Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley is committed to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and fostering an organization that is accessible and welcoming. In turn, we are uniting communities to help make more wishes possible.

•    Our mission is most effectively fulfilled through a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values and practices.
•    It is only through our mosaic of different cultures, perspectives, and experiences that we can grant life-changing wishes to every eligible child.
•    As a part of the world’s largest wish-granting organization, we stand against racism, and intolerance and are committed to representation and acceptance, creating a sense of belonging and practicing fairness in creating opportunities for our wish families, volunteers, and staff.

Our organizational values of Compassion, Community, and Inclusion guide our staff, volunteers, donors, and partners every day and particularly in this remarkably challenging time.

We will continue conducting deeper outreach to underserved communities through our active engagement work, ensuring that we reach every child with a critical illness who needs the power of a wish experience. We invite you to be part of our community.

Every child deserves and will receive our compassion, care and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Purposeful outreach to medical professionals throughout our region has allowed us to ensure wishes are being granted across the state, regardless of socioeconomic status. We continue to work with trusted medical professionals, volunteers, and donors in our region to ensure we are reaching every eligible child and to ensure language, socioeconomic status, and any other challenges are never a barrier to a child receiving their one true wish.

Access news releases, background information and recent news about Make-A-Wish and connect with our Communications team. 

At Make-A-Wish, we are more than a great place to work — our work is life-changing. We are an inclusive and diverse group of people who, through a mosaic of backgrounds, thought and experiences, are united in purposeful work. We are fueled and guided by our values — values that are represented in the inspired people we work with and the life-changing work we do every day. 

We are always on the lookout for great talent who share in our passion. If you are interested in a career or internship with Make-A-Wish, please check our site for open positions as they become available.

Community Outreach Specialist