Give Kids the World Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE IGNITE AN ENDURING SENSE OF HOPE IN THE HEARTS OF CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES BY FULFILLING THEIR WISHES THROUGH OUR GIVE KIDS THE WORLD EXPERIENCE.
- Income
- $77.1 million
- Spending
- $71.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 15.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 266
- Volunteers
- 13,303
- Highest pay
- $381,337, director - president & ceo (end 01/25)
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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 19 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $65.6 million spent. ONE OF LESS THAN 1% OF ALL U.S. CHARITIES TO RECEIVE CHARITY NAVIGATOR'S HIGHEST RATING 18 YEARS IN A ROW, GIVE KIDS THE WORLD VILLAGE IS AN 89-ACRE, WHIMSICAL NONPROFIT RESORT IN CENTRAL FLORIDA THAT PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD WITH MAGICAL WEEKLONG WISH VACATIONS AT NO COST. MORE THAN 30,000 CHILDREN IN THE U.S. ARE DIAGNOSED WITH A CRITICAL ILLNESS EACH YEAR, AND HALF OF THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A WISH CHOOSE TO VISIT ORLANDO. GIVE KIDS THE WORLD IS THE NONPROFIT THAT FULFILLS ALL OF THESE WISHES. FROM LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURES TO THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF, EVERY WISH FAMILY IS TREATED TO AN ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION; ACCOMMODATIONS; ALL MEALS AND SNACKS; NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT; DONATED THEME PARK TICKETS; DAILY GIFTS; AND NONSTOP FUN AT THE VILLAGE, A STORYBOOK DESTINATION ALL ITS OWN FEATURING AN ARRAY OF ACCESSIBLE RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS. SINCE 1986, MORE THAN 200,000 WISH CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM ALL 50 STATES AND 77 COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN WELCOMED TO THE VILLAGE TO LAUGH TOGETHER, PLAY TOGETHER, AND CREATE PRICELESS MEMORIES AWAY FROM HOSPITAL STAYS AND MEDICAL TREATMENTS. GIVE KIDS THE WORLD'S MISSION TO CREATE JOY, INSPIRE OPTIMISM AND IGNITE AN ENDURING SENSE OF HOPE IN THE HEARTS OF WISH FAMILIES IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROSITY OF CARING CORPORATE PARTNERS, INDIVIDUAL DONORS AND THOUSANDS OF PASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.GKTW.ORG. TO MAKE A DONATION, VISIT WWW.GKTW.ORG/DONATE.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.