Winter Wishes
Every wish tells a story. Every gift brings joy. It's that time of the year again when we unite to make holiday magic happen for NYC children and teens who need it most.
Become a Wish Granter and make the season a little brighter.
Winter Wishes is an annual program run by New York Cares that grants holiday wishes for children who may not otherwise receive a give for the holidays. Our goal is to ensure every child’s wish comes true.
Get ready to sign up this fall and join thousands of generous New Yorkers who purchase gifts and collectively fulfill more that 26,000 Wishes!
đź“… Key Dates
August - September 2026
Community Partners (local shelters, schools, and nonprofit community centers) accepted to the program enter children’s Wishes for their organization using the Winter Wishes portal.
October 2026
Volunteers begin registering as Wish Granters to receive Wishes (letters), and commit to purchasing and sending gifts (maximum $40 commitment per letter) directly to a specified Community Partner for distribution.
Early November 2026
Wish Granters are notified that you’ve been matched with individual digital letters and can begin sending gifts to your designated partner agency.
December 4, 2026
Deadline for Wish Granters to send gifts to your designated organization.
Late January 2027
New York Cares shares digital thank you notes from Community Partners to Wish Granters.
Have Questions?
Who are Wish Granters?
Winter Wish Granters, or Wish Granters for short, are volunteers who purchase and send gifts to New York Cares Community Partners for distribution to children and teens ensuring NYC youth experience the joy of the holidays.
How does Winter Wishes support year-round programs?
Funds raised from Winter Wishes support various children and teen educational programs, including field days, reading days, science classes, and college tours, ensuring ongoing support for NYC students.
How can I promote my involvement in Winter Wishes?
We love it when individual Wish Granters and corporate partners highlight their participation in the Winter Wishes program -- it helps encourage more people to join the fun! To make it easy, New York Cares typically provides a template that you can use on your social media channels, but you can also draft your own post to share what's meaningful to you about participating in Winter Wishes.
Why should my company support Winter Wishes?
Supporting Winter Wishes not only makes the holidays special for thousands of children, but also raises funds for year-round educational and enrichment programs. Participation fosters a sense of community, enhances team-building, and provides significant visibility for your company through various partnership levels.