Our Chapter

Mission

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

TX gulf and LA map- TX gulf

Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana has granted more than 11,000 wishes since its inception in 1984. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness.

Our chapter serves 47 counties in the Texas Gulf Coast and all 64 parishes in Louisiana.

Our Staff
Shelly May 2023

Shelly Millwee

President and CEO

My Wish
I wish to go to the Golden Globes and sit with Tom Hanks at his table!
Jessica headshot-TX gulf

Jessica Ansel

Vice President of Philanthropy

My Wish
I wish to take a cross country road trip!
Breeze headshot 2024

Breeze Acevedo

Vice President of Mission Delivery

My Wish
I wish to visit Giraffe Manor in Kenya!
Mel headshot 2024

Melissa Henderson

Vice President of Finance and Operations

My Wish
I wish to have a front row seat to one of Dwight Yoakam's concerts!
Our Board of Directors & Advisors
hatfieldheadshot-TXgulf

Thomas Hatfield

Chair

Partner, PwC
Jason Jennaro headshot 2023

Jason Jennaro

Chair-Elect

Select Water
Kristin Palmer- new 2022

Kristin Palmer

Immediate Past Chair

Adjunct Professor, University of Houston
Ed Razim headshot

Ed Razim

Treasurer

Partner, Locke Lord, LLP
TXGF- Bonnie headshot 2022

Bonnie Houston

Secretary

Chief Administrative Officer, NOV Inc.
Our Young Leaders Board

Chandler Williams

President

Katie Day

VP of External Affairs

Ali Dhanji

VP of Finance

Jordan Jupe

VP of Operations

Helen Moninghoff

VP of Membership

Gabrielle Ruffeno

VP of Communications

Sydney Wright

VP of Internal Affairs

TXGF- BOH and Carson
How Your Gift Transforms Lives

A wish isn't just a single moment in time but an entire experience created specifically for each wish child. Your gift will help share the power of a wish with local children battling critical illnesses.

Learn more about the different ways to give and where your donation goes HERE.

Managing Our Funds

Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana finances endeavors through corporate sponsorships, special events, foundation grants and individual contributions. However, we do not solicit funds by telephone and receive no federal or state funding. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, all contributions are deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our financial statements are audited locally by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. 

TXGF- FY23 pie chart

At Make-A-Wish, we take our responsibility for the monies donated to our cause very seriously and are pleased to confirm that according to the fiscal year 2023 audit results, Make-A-Wish Foundation Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana spent 79% of every dollar on wish granting and related program expenses. Only 11% of every dollar was spent on management and general costs and 10% was allocated to fundraising. 

We are proud to be a BBB Accredited Charity Seal Holder, having met all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability and received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. 

For full financial details, please review our most recent 990 form and FY2023 Audited Financial Statement.  

To view archived financial documents (FY19-FY22), please click here.

View our most recent Annual Report 

Media Center

Wish Kid Alan

In the News & Blogs

Newspaper and magazine articles, blogs and other media often tell stories about wishes.

Young girl surrounded by community

Media Requests

Fill out this short form and our Communications team will respond as soon as possible.

Try Guys

News Releases

View our latest news releases to learn about major wish-granting events, new sponsorships, campaigns, and other news.

Please Direct Media Inquiries to:

Erin Joubert

Community Development & Marketing Coordinator

504.846.9474 ext.1512

[email protected]

 

Careers & Internships

At Make-A-Wish, we are more than a great place to work — our work is life-changing. We are an inclusive and diverse group of people who, through a mosaic of backgrounds, thought and experiences, are united in purposeful work. We are fueled and guided by our values — values that are represented in the inspired people we work with and the life-changing work we do, every day. 

Employment

Development Division:

Please apply with a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Internships

Click HERE for internship opportunities.

Social Platforms 

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LinkedIn

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YouTube

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