Make-A-Wish Mid-South

When children are battling a critical illness, so much of normal childhood is taken away from them — it is exhausting, both emotionally and physically. A Wish is something that gives kids the opportunity to look outside their illness — it restores a sense of childhood back to the child and normalcy back to the family. Research shows, and physicians agree, wishes can help improve a child's quality of life and produce better health outcomes.

Wishes
Increase the number of wishes granted each fiscal year to reach and exceed 50% of the Wish Incidence Rate (estimated number of children eligible for a wish in our territory).

Development
Increase total revenues to support the growing wish number as we improve our Wish Incidence Rate.

Operations
To improve staff retention through professional development and training.

Board Leadership
To increase the size and diversity of the Board.

Wishes:
1. Implement a wish referral program to increase the number of children referred to the organization.
2. Increase wish penetration from 49% to 53% by 2018.
- Focus on volunteer recruitment efforts in areas where wish children reside.
- Focus on volunteer retention.
3. Reduce the amount of time it takes to grant a wish.
- Implementing changes in the wish process to reduce the time from the child's referral to their wish being granted.
4. Drive mission awareness through a revitalized digital marketing strategy.
- Increase number of "likes" on social media.
- Drive individuals to the chapter website.

Development:
1. Broaden the chapter's fundraising strategy to grant 267 wishes across the Mid-South.
2. Create strategy to increase Corporate support in target markets.
3. Integrate a Major gifts & Planned giving program to the overall fundraising strategy.
4. Increase the percentage of in-kind to the total direct wish expense from 38.6% to 40% by 2018.
5. Broaden opportunities for volunteers and wish families to be more engaged with the chapter.

Operations:
1. Focus on the professional development/training for staff.
- Identify needs and training "wishes" for each staff member.
- Includes professional development in current and future budgets.
2. Increase staff retention.
- Review current job descriptions - focusing on classification and tasks.
- Improve staff evaluation process - making them more timely, a 2-way conversation with the focus on how we can help staff members reach their personal and professional goals.
- Perform annual employee satisfaction surveys.
3. Focus on facility improvements.

Board:
1. Seek and recruit individuals for the Board - focusing on the individuals talent.
2. Develop a succession plan to ensure a highly talented and well connected Board.