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The Wish Project Inc

EIN 20-3249145 · Lowell, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE OUR LOCAL PEOPLE IN NEED WITH CLOTHING, BASIC HOME GOODS, AND BABY GOODS WHILE HELPING THE PLANET RECYCLING USED GOODS. ONLY WHEN PEOPLE HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET CAN THEY MOVE FORWARD AND OUT OF SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEMS.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
13
Volunteers
591
Highest pay
$89,932, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $3.3 million spent. WISHES - CLIENTS CAN ATTAIN A REFERRAL FOR WISHES THROUGH ONE OF OUR PARTNERED AGENCIES. AGENCIES PAY A MEMBERSHIP FEE TO REFER CLIENTS TO OUR WAREHOUSE FOR HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND BABY GEAR. HOUSEHOLD GOODS CAN INCLUDE ITEMS SUCH AS A HOUSEHOLD KIT (DISHES, GLASSES, UTENSILS, POTS, PANS, BAKEWARE), COFFEE MAKERS, TOASTERS, ELECTRIC FRYERS, LAMPS, BEDDING, MICROWAVES, AIR CONDITIONERS, AND HEATERS. BABY GEAR CAN INCLUDE A NEW CAR SEAT & STROLLER COMBO, NEW BABY BOTTLES, A SAFETY GATE, NEW BABY-PROOFING ITEMS, A BASSINET OR PACK-N-PLAY, A BREAST PUMP, AND MUCH MORE. CLIENTS CAN ALSO PLACE A REQUEST FOR A NEWBORN BASKET, WHICH IS PROVIDED TO MOMS ONE MONTH BEFORE OR AFTER THEIR DUE DATE. CLIENTS CAN ALSO PLACE A WISH FOR A BIRTHDAY BAG IF THEIR CHILD TURNS AGE 1 THROUGH 17. A BIRTHDAY BAG CONTAINS ALL THE NECESSARY ITEMS TO THROW A CHILD A PARTY, SUCH AS DISPOSABLE PLATES, CUPS, PARTY FAVORS, PARTY BANNERS, TABLECLOTHS, CANDLES, CAKE MIX, FROSTING, AND BIRTHDAY GIFTS.PROJECTS - ASIDE FROM WISHES, AGENCY MEMBERSHIP ALSO INCLUDES PROJECTS. THE WISH PROJECT HAS FOUR PROJECTS THAT OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR. THE FIRST PROJECT, CALLED BACKPACK ATTACK, TYPICALLY RUNS FROM JULY TO AUGUST. BASED ON THEIR MEMBERSHIP LEVEL, AGENCY PARTNERS RECEIVE AN ALLOCATED AMOUNT OF NEW BACKPACKS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THEIR CLIENTS. EACH BACKPACK HAS A VALUE OF $60. THE SECOND PROJECT, HOLIDAY MAGIC, TYPICALLY RUNS FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER. WITH THIS PROJECT, AGENCY PARTNERS CAN SUBMIT AN ALLOCATED AMOUNT OF FAMILIES TO RECEIVE HOLIDAY GIFTS. THE TOTAL VALUE OF ITEMS PROVIDED FOR EACH CHILD IS $75 AND $25 FOR ADULTS. THE THIRD PROJECT, MOTHER'S DAY BAGS, TYPICALLY RUNS FROM MARCH TO APRIL. THE BAGS HAVE A VALUE OF $50. OUR FINAL PROJECT, CALLED BITS BAGS, RUNS YEAR-ROUND. BITS IS SHORT FOR BASIC ITEMS FOR TODDLER SUCCESS, VALUED AT $35. AGENCY PARTNERS ARE ALSO ABLE TO RECEIVE "EXTRAS." THIS OCCURS WHEN ALL THE REQUIRED AMOUNTS FOR EACH AGENCY ARE FULFILLED, AND WE HAVE ITEMS REMAINING. WALKS-INS - ANY PERSON IN NEED CAN COME TO OUR WAREHOUSE ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS. THEY CAN PICK OUT CLOTHES AND SHOES FOR EACH OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. WHILE THEY SHOP, VOLUNTEERS CAN PROVIDE CUDDLE BUNDLES, MADE BY OUR FAIRY GODMOTHER, TO ANY YOUNG CHILDREN SHOPPING WITH THEIR PARENTS. CLIENTS ARE ALSO ABLE TO RECEIVE DIAPERS, HYGIENE SUPPLIES AND WIPES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. ADDITIONALLY, CLIENTS RECEIVE NEW UNDERWEAR AND SOCKS ONCE A YEAR. CLIENTS ALSO HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE FREE ITEMS FROM THE SHELVES IN THE WAITING AREA. TEXTILE RECYCLING - NOT ALL THE DONATIONS RECEIVED AT OUR WAREHOUSE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION, IN SEASON OR SUITABLE FOR OUR CLIENTS. ANYTHING STAINED, RIPPED, ROUGHLY WORN, OR OUT OF SEASON (THAT IS NOT NEW) IS RECYCLED. THESE ITEMS ARE BAGGED AND PUT ASIDE FOR THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION / SAVERS, WHICH PAYS US PER POUND OF MATERIAL RECEIVED.THRIFT - WE OPERATE A THRIFT STORE WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN PURCHASE NEW OR BARELY USED ITEMS AT A STEEP DISCOUNT. THESE ARE ITEMS THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE SUITABLE FOR CLIENTS LOOKING FOR BASIC NECESSITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.