REPORT ANNUAL. Wishes work wonders. C hildren s Wish Foundation. Jayden wished to design his own pair of sneakers

Transcription

1 C hildren s Wish Foundation ANNUAL REPORT Wishes work wonders Jayden wished to design his own pair of sneakers

2 A message from the CEO and National Board Chair 25,000 wishes granted, 2.5 million lives touched When Edmonton teen Jayden slipped into his new, custom designed, one of a kind sneakers, it marked a very special moment for him, and for us. The shoes, made out of all his favourite sneakers, were a wish come true for the former athlete battling stage 4 cancer. And Jayden s wish was the 25,000th granted by Children s Wish Foundation a significant achievement for a 100% Canadian charity. The clothing line that King Jay inspired is now raising funds for the next 25,000 Children s Wish kids. The impact of a wish on children diagnosed with life-threatening illness that we support is well documented reducing the perception of pain through difficult treatments, promoting family bonding and giving young patients much-needed support for their mental and emotional well-being. What is perhaps not as fully appreciated is just how far the beneficial effect of that wish extends. The fact is, every single wish affects approximately 100 people: the parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, classmates, teammates, doctors, nurses and social workers who love and care for the child, as well as the volunteers, corporations, local businesses and community groups who work to make that wish come true. We know the work we do is important. Referrals show no sign of slowing down and, at the urging of healthcare professionals, our reach has expanded to include children with serious neurological or genetic conditions. But statistics show the Canadian donor pool has not been growing apace. According to a 2018 report on Canadian giving patterns, the number of adults who donate to any charitable cause has been in steady decline.* It has become more challenging than ever to raise the funds we need to fulfill our promise to every sick child with a heartfelt wish. As a result, we have amplified our efforts to increase our relevance and earn the active support of groups and individuals all across the country. Despite the economic challenges facing every organization in the charitable sector, we were able to uphold our no waiting list promise for more than 1,200 children in 2017, making more than three wishes come true every day. With the support of our healthcare partners, the generosity of our individual and corporate donors, and the dedication of a legion of enthusiastic volunteers, we will continue to deliver the healing power of a wish to the caring community around every deserving child. More than 25,000 wishes granted. Over 2.5 million Canadians inspired, comforted, supported, motivated, helped, healed or in some way touched. On behalf of everyone at Children s Wish Foundation and the valiant children we serve, we extend our deepest appreciation to all who have helped and continue to help make the power of a wish possible. *30 Years of Giving in Canada The Giving Behaviour of Canadians: Who gives, how, and why? Copyright 2018, Rideau Hall Foundation and Imagine Canada Chris Kotsopoulos, Chief Executive Officer Brenda Abrams, National Board Chair

3 More Wishes, More Wonders Campaign The strength behind the Power of a Wish For over 34 years, Children s Wish Foundation has had a profound impact on children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, their families, friends, caregivers and communities. In granting over 25,000 wishes more than all the other wish-granting organizations in Canada combined our Foundation has been in the business of creating joy for our amazing kids. More than ever before, these children and their families need support from our Foundation. Two key trends are driving a new need for funding. First, with the incredible advancements in treatment and technology, children are prevailing through life-threatening illnesses that would have been previously deemed fatal. Second, our Foundation has expanded the scope to include young people whose quality of life is severely compromised by genetic or neurological illnesses. All these children need the healing power of a wish. To date, we have granted 260 wishes for this new cohort. These wishes require additional expenditures for special care, medical practitioners and sophisticated health care equipment. In addition to the past grants, we have approved 461 wishes for this special group of kids with broader care requirements, just waiting to be delivered. Children s Wish funds the entire wish experience including travel, food, accommodations and exclusive Blue Cross insurance covering pre-existing conditions. These new wishes are more complicated and expenses increase proportionately these increased funding needs were the genesis for the More Wishes, More Wonders campaign that started in October To service our new group of wish kids, we formalized this special campaign to secure financing above and beyond our traditional fundraising efforts. Through transformational commitments outside our corporate and community efforts, the campaign lays the groundwork for long-term plans aligned with evolving healthcare needs. To date, the campaign has raised $7.75 million, initiated with a gift of $1M from the Slaight Family Foundation. We are tracking to reach our goal of $10M by 2021 a true team effort from both our own Foundation and the amazing donors who support us. Creating meaningful experiences that enhance the lives of children coping with a debilitating illness is a mission that is more crucial than ever. With your support of More Wishes, More Wonders, we will continue to provide the healing power of a wish for many years to come. The incredible spirit of these children, who face pain and hardships with such courage, is humbling. To be able to give them hope, joy and the chance to enjoy just being a kid for a while, is a privilege. $9M $8M $7M $6M $5M $4M $3M $2M $1M -Dave Lacey, National Chair, More Wishes, More Wonders

4 3x more wishes granted than any other wish granting organization in Canada WISHES IMPACT OF A WISH 1,001 CANADIAN CHILDREN WERE GRANTED WISHES LAST YEAR. 2.5 M IMPACT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE 25,000 WISHES GRANTED BY CHILDREN S WISH FOUNDATION. FUNDRAISING $7.8 M HAS BEEN RAISED TOWARDS OUR MORE WISHES, MORE WONDERS CAMPAIGN TO DATE. AWARENESS 347 K VISITS WERE LOGGED ON OUR WEBSITE. 465 Towns Were home to our Canadian wish children. 100% Of parents agreed that the wish provided positive, long-lasting changes to the family. $9.9 M $5.4 million was raised by Children s Wish events, and $4.5 million was raised from community events. 124 K Total number of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter followers, with growth across all platforms. 104 Hospitals And clinics treated our wish children last year. 96% Of parents agreed that the planning of a wish provided a distraction from treatment and/or illness for their child. 739 Fundraising events took place across Canada last year. Over 225 M Media impressions were generated across channels including print, television, and radio. Over 500+ Health care professionals across Canada who referred a wish child last year. 94% Of parents rated their child s happiness very high after the wish was completed. $2.2 M Raised online, the most to date. King Jay Apparel First ever clothing line, launched in honour of our 25,000 th wish child, Jayden. Where Our Funds Come From Clubs and Groups 6% Investment income 8% Gift-in-kind 11% Corporate 10% Impact on Distraction Studies have proven there is reduced perception of pain from mental distraction through an inhibition of incoming pain signals in the spinal cord. Impact on Emotions The positive impact on emotions of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses is undeniable. Physical Impact The experience and planning of the wish increases the energy levels of most pediatric patients. In addition, their level of physical activity engagement is significantly higher after a wish. Impact that lasts 91% of wish parents agreed the wish has influenced their child s future and/or goals. Lotteries 2% Individuals 14% Estates 6% Fundraising Events 43% Breakdown of Total Expenses Children's Wishes 60% Administration 15% Fundraising 25%

5 THANK YOU! For being part of another truly incredible year! The gift of happiness. The gift of hope. For a child with a life-threatening illness, whose world is circumscribed by hospitals, tests, setbacks and treatments, those gifts are precious indeed. That s why we are so committed to the smiles we create through the work we do. We truly believe in the healing, life-enhancing power of a wish. And that power comes from you - our selfless volunteers, compassionate healthcare partners and generous donors. For over 34 years, we have had daily proof that wishes work wonders. On behalf of the 25,000 children whose lives you ve brightened, we thank you for granting heartfelt wishes. 2017/18 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Brenda Abrams VICE CHAIR Mitch Minken TREASURER Carl Viel SECRETARY Jim Wyatt MEMBERS Gerry Curnew Heather Falk Les Gombik Jan Grude Richard Lachance Ian Smith Jeanette Wakelin Shawn White MAJOR SUPPORTERS ($100,000 plus donors from April 1, March 30, 2018) Air Transat Blue Cross Couche-Tard Inc. CTV Atlantic Darren & Shauna Nantes DMT Development Systems Group Inc. Estate of Caroline McInnis-Kawiecki Estate of Steven Wayne Duffy Estate of Victor Thomkins Shea Fairmount Royal York Give Kids The World HanMac Family Maritime Forces Atlantic PEI RumRunners RBC Foundation Recycling Rewards/Talize Scotiabank Sobeys St-Hubert Foundation Starlight Investments The Graham and Ruby DeLaet Foundation The Slaight Family Foundation Tim Hortons Uni-Sélect Inc. Warehouse One - The Jean Store To donate now, please call the Wish line at or visit Registered charity # RR0001 The standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under licence by Children s Wish Foundation