Fundraising and Program Services
through Telemarketing

From inception, the immediate need to fund wishes resulted in Kids Wish Network’s decision to utilize the services of professional fundraisers. More importantly, we realized the thousands of calls made on our behalf serves as an additional source of referrals. With each call our fundraisers ask every potential donor if they know of a sick child that would benefit from our services. We receive thousands of referrals every year from these calls and nearly 75% of children receiving wishes are the direct result of telemarketing leads. This is especially important because these children are often in remote areas and would never be located through hospitals or social service agencies. For this reason we are certain that utilizing telemarketing firms in this manner is the right thing for Kids Wish Network and the children we serve. Additionally, professional fundraisers have made it possible for Kids Wish Network to operate as a national charity with only one central location. They have enabled us eliminated the need for expensive chapters, and we are proud of our remarkably low administrative costs (2.8% in 2006).

You seldom meet someone who enjoys being called by telemarketers, but for those who believe in our mission and want to make a contribution, we'd like to offer some insight into the often asked question: "What percentage of my contribution does the telemarketing company receive?" The answer is: Kids Wish Network receives between 12-20% of the total contribution; however the remainder is not "kept" by the fundraiser. The fundraising company must pay all of the expenses related to the fundraising process. This includes employee salaries, rent, electric, printing and postage, registration fees, insurance and legal compliance, computers, calling equipment, telephone bills, and on and on. These expenses add up quickly and costs are incurred for every call, whether or not the call results in a donation. When a contribution is made, additional costs are encountered. Many donors are quite surprised to learn that the cost to acquire a new donor can actually exceed the dollars raised, resulting in losses to a charity. This holds true for direct mail, events, telemarketing and every other fundraising method. With telemarketing, the fundraising company must absorb those losses. This results in average net revenues of 7-8% within the professional telemarketing industry. Therefore, Kids Wish Network continually nets double that of the fundraiser. Attempting a national telemarketing campaign on our own would result in Kids Wish Network incurring the same costs professional fundraising firms experience. A huge volume of calls must be generated to ensure a campaign’s success and we firmly believe only the most professional and qualified companies should provide these services. Meanwhile, Kids Wish Network is diligently striving to diversify and enhance our sources of revenue through bequest and planned gifts, direct mail campaigns, grants, corporate sponsorships, and events. Additionally, please remember our telemarketers’ efforts locate thousands of sick children in need, every year.

If someone chooses not to receive calls made on our behalf, they can simply ask the caller to place their name on our do-not-call list. Although charities are exempt from the federal do-not-call registry, it has always been Kids Wish Network’s policy to promptly comply with these requests.

For donors wishing to contribute directly to Kids Wish Network, we maintain our special "Guardian Angel Account." This account is restricted and supports only direct program expenses. Donors can be assured that 100% of their donation will benefit the children we serve. To our knowledge Kids Wish Network is the only wish-granting organization that can guarantee that every penny of your donation will benefit a sick child. To make a contribution to this special account, pleases make your check payable to, "Kids Wish Network Guardian Angel Account" and mail to: 4060 Louis Ave. Holiday, Fl 34691.

We rely on the generosity of our many contributors to assure the continuance of our important programs. We are truly grateful that so many individuals and corporations are kind enough to offer us their financial support.