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Refer a Child Criteria

The child must be between the ages of 3-18 only.

Sunshine Foundation will accept applications up until the child’s 19th birthday. All required documentation must be received in the Sunshine Foundation office no later than their birthday. No documentation will be accepted after the child has turned 19.

The child must be diagnosed with SEVERE or PROFOUND physical, developmental, or intellectual challenges, or trauma from physical/sexual abuse. This is determined by the medical authorization form and supportive medical documents received by the child’s physician.

Sunshine Foundation may fulfill the dreams of children severely affected by a chronic illness or physical disability, or abuse. These diagnoses include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Blind
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Deaf
  • Down Syndrome
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis
  • Severe Autism (LEVEL 3 ONLY “Requiring very substantial support, SEVERE-PROFOUND”)
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome
  • Severe Epilepsy
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Spastic Quadriplegia
  • Spina Bifida
  • Trauma from Abuse (If a child is diagnosed with a history of TRAUMA, it must be as a result of physical/sexual abuse.)
  • *And Many Others

Diagnosis must be severe-profound to qualify. Note: If it is CRITICAL your child may qualify for other wish-granting organizations that grant wishes for critical illness/diagnoses.

Sunshine Foundation is unable to consider dreams for children with Deficit Disorders (ADHD, OCD, etc.), mild to moderate: autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, or other mild to moderate chronic illnesses and/or diagnoses.

The family’s household’s income must be under $75,000 annually (including all adults over the age of 18 who reside in the household).

The child or any child in the household must NOT have had a previous dream or wish through Sunshine Foundation or any other wish-granting organization or other organization (NO PREVIOUS WISH).  A child or other family member, if already approved with another organization but has not yet received their wish, will not be eligible to receive a dream through Sunshine Foundation. Sunshine Foundation grants ONE DREAM PER FAMILY. Submit only ONE referral for ONE child in the household that may best meet the criteria, if there are multiple children diagnosed with severe disabilities in the home. Note: To ensure donor funds are being utilized appropriately, Sunshine Foundation will reach out to various organizations to ensure a dream/wish or other gift has not already been provided to the child and other family members living in the home. Should your child be approved for a dream through the Sunshine Foundation and they or any other family member living in the home receives or becomes eligible/approved for a dream/wish through any other wish-granting organization while waiting to receive their dream, they will no longer be eligible to receive a dream through the Sunshine Foundation and be removed from the waiting list.

Only one dream per family may be granted, even if multiple children meet our other qualifications.

To qualify for a dream, the child must be a citizen of and reside in one of the States or District of Columbia.

Refer a Child Form

PLEASE READ THE CRITERIA ENTIRELY BEFORE SUBMITTING A REFERRAL.

  • Referral must be completed by the child’s parent/guardian
  • Step 1 – Complete the Refer a Child form below
  • Step 2 – If your child appears to meet the criteria, you will receive a link to the application within a few weeks 
  • Please be aware that Sunshine Foundation has a waiting list that may be several years, depending on location and our funding sources.
Refer a Child Form

Sunshine Foundation is unable to assist with doctor/medical bills or living expenses. We must also work within certain financial limitations and permissible requests. Your child’s medical and/or travel restrictions or other related or unrelated circumstances may also affect the dream we are able to provide.