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Wish Upon a Wedding

EIN 27-1370138 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WISH UPON A WEDDING EXISTS TO GRANT WEDDINGS AND VOW RENEWALS TO COUPLES FACING TERMINAL ILLNESS OR LIFE-ALTERING HEALTH CIRCUMSTANCES. WE HELP COUPLES ALLEVIATE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN AND TIME COMMITMENT THAT PLANNING A WEDDING ENTAILS, FOCUSING INSTEAD ON DEALING WITH THEIR TREATMENTS AND SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR LOVED ONES. IT'S OUR GOAL TO PROVIDE A DAY FOR COUPLES THAT IS FREE FROM THE WORRY OF THEIR DISEASE AND THAT IS FILLED WITH LOVE AND LIGHT - AND ONE THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO STRESS ABOUT

Income
$856,027
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
5
Volunteers
800
Highest pay
$53,163, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 147% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.1 million spent. WISH UPON A WEDDING IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION THAT PROVIDES WEDDINGS AND VOW RENEWALS TO COUPLES FACING TERMINAL ILLNESS OR OTHER SERIOUS LIFE- ALTERING CIRCUMSTANCES, REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION. THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED IN 2010 TO CELEBRATE THE COURAGE, DETERMINATION, AND SPIRIT OF COUPLES, WHERE ONE INDIVIDUAL IN A RELATIONSHIP IS FACED WITH A TERMINAL DIAGNOSIS BY GRANTING THEIR DREAM WEDDING WISH, AND FOR THESE RECIPIENTS TO INSPIRE OTHER COUPLES FACING SIMILAR SITUATIONS TO FIND HOPE AND STRENGTH. "URGENT WISHES" ARE ALSO GRANTED FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IMMINENTLY ILL."

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.