Empowering Make-A-Wish with Technology
Make-A-Wish is on a mission to grant a hope-sparking wish for every eligible child in the U.S. To achieve this ambitious goal, the nonprofit has turned to Microsoft technology to streamline its operations and leverage its data. By transitioning to the Azure cloud, Make-A-Wish has unified its data and rebuilt vital applications. The organization has also rolled out Microsoft 365 Copilot to its national office and regional chapters, enhancing staff efficiency and productivity.
Transforming Wish Granting with Technology
For children like four-year-old Amelia, who was diagnosed with pediatric leukemia at age three, Make-A-Wish creates unforgettable experiences. Amelia’s wish to be a zookeeper for a day at the Miami Zoo brought joy and a welcome break from treatment. Her local Make-A-Wish chapter organized every aspect of the day, allowing Amelia to focus on fun and recovery. As Amelia’s mom remembered, “Her wish inspired us to keep going.”
Make-A-Wish works with families, medical providers, volunteers, and communities to grant wishes, from tropical island vacations to photo shoots with unicorns. The anticipation, experience, and memories help children endure challenging therapies. According to Keith Goodwin, Chief Information Officer at Make-A-Wish, “Having something to look forward to makes a difference in their outcomes.”
Boosting Efficiency with Generative AI
Make-A-Wish is using Microsoft 365 Copilot to write first drafts of emails, blog posts, and strategic plans, freeing staff to focus on mission-critical work. The AI assistant also takes notes during meetings, transcribes calls, and tracks follow-up actions. This has helped teams create more marketing materials, generate more revenue, and engage with supporters.
The nonprofit has also built Wish Helper, a generative AI chatbot using Copilot Studio, which enables self-service IT support. Staff can ask questions, reset passwords, or set up new SharePoint folders, reducing IT tickets and allowing the team to redirect energy to value-adding projects.
Unifying Data for Insights
Make-A-Wish has unified its data in Azure and Microsoft Fabric, providing a single source of truth for fundraising, engagement, and wish-granting pipelines. This has enabled leadership to support chapters, increase revenue, plan for the future, and maximize wishes granted. Power BI dashboards provide real-time insights into chapter performance, helping staff track key metrics and make data-driven decisions.
Enhancing Security and Compliance
Make-A-Wish prioritizes protecting sensitive family data, including medical diagnoses. Microsoft security products and services, such as Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Purview, shield the nonprofit’s operations and ensure compliance. By centralizing apps and data on Azure, Make-A-Wish has diminished security vulnerabilities and improved collaboration.
Fulfilling More Wishes on a Budget
Generous supporters donate loyalty points and in-kind gifts to Make-A-Wish, which are tracked using the Wish Bank application built on Microsoft Power Platform. The new version enhances security, refines the user interface, and improves tracking capabilities. This has enabled Make-A-Wish to distribute donations fairly among chapters and reduce the cost of wish-associated travel, freeing funds to grant more wishes.
Every improvement makes a difference for Make-A-Wish’s mission. As Goodwin explains, “Anytime we can save a dollar or time through technology, that means more wishes for more children. That’s how we can reach our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.”
