Nonprofit · EIN 26-2123649
WISH OF A LIFETIME
Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20049
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $4,687,342 | $4,921,245 | -$233,903 | $1,181,144 | $641,080 | $540,064 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $4,129,021 | $4,999,371 | -$870,350 | $1,365,509 | $591,542 | $773,967 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $4,388,785 | $4,842,711 | -$453,926 | $2,194,296 | $549,979 | $1,644,317 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $4,660,252
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $27,090
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $292,972
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,359,809
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,162,623
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Travel
- $69,681
- Depreciation
- $77,827
- Program services (functional)
- $4,004,356
- Management and general (functional)
- $553,371
- Fundraising (functional)
- $363,518
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,365,509
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,181,144
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $641,080
- Net assets, end of year
- $540,064
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $104,142
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $540,064
- Gross receipts
- $4,687,342
- Employees
- 27
- Volunteers
- 6,310
- Year formed
- 2008
- State of legal domicile
- CO
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott M Frisch | Director & AARP EVP - COO Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $868,826 | $77,757 |
| Karen Mercer | Treasurer & AARP SVP Officer | 1 | $0 | $461,292 | $67,386 |
| Sarah Shaw | Secretary & AARP SVP Officer | 1 | $0 | $403,821 | $66,039 |
| Thomas Wagenlander | Executive Director Officer | 40 | $263,802 | $0 | $53,692 |
| Beau Ballinger | Director, Business Planning & Ops Highest-paid employee | 40 | $155,247 | $0 | $57,508 |
| Steven Glaser | Director, Wish Program Highest-paid employee | 40 | $141,487 | $0 | $51,196 |
| Kristen Prusky | Director, Marketing & Comms Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,124 | $0 | $50,734 |
| Jared Bloomfield | Director, Field Program Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,956 | $0 | $29,517 |
| Elija Montepare | Manager, Wish Fulfillment Highest-paid employee | 40 | $107,244 | $0 | $34,264 |
| Jeremy Bloom | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Eric Chess | Vice Chair Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Michelle Armstrong | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Eliot Hamlisch | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Eric Hirschberg | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Laurie Schadegg Thomas | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 15 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott M Frisch | Director & AARP EVP - COO Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $1,024,073 | $75,492 |
| Karen Mercer | Treasurer & AARP SVP Officer | 1 | $0 | $466,489 | $65,794 |
| Sarah Shaw | Secretary & AARP SVP Officer | 1 | $0 | $400,044 | $64,426 |
| Thomas Wagenlander | Executive Director Officer | 40 | $255,476 | $0 | $44,499 |
| Beau Ballinger | Director, Business Planning & Ops Highest-paid employee | 40 | $141,888 | $0 | $50,852 |
| Kristen Prusky | Director, Marketing & Comm Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,795 | $0 | $49,557 |
| Steven Glaser | Director, Wish Program Highest-paid employee | 40 | $141,672 | $0 | $30,477 |
| Jared Bloomfield | Director, Field Program Highest-paid employee | 40 | $136,646 | $0 | $28,960 |
| Elija Valdez | Manager, Wish Fulfillment Highest-paid employee | 40 | $105,993 | $0 | $27,964 |
| Jeremy Bloom | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $112,500 | $0 |
| Eric Chess | Vice Chair Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Michelle Armstrong | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Eliot Hamlisch | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Eric Hirschberg | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Laurie Schadegg Thomas | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott M Frisch | Director & AARP EVP - COO Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $807,731 | $67,221 |
| Karen Mercer | Treasurer & AARP SVP Officer | 1 | $0 | $430,306 | $68,286 |
| Sarah Shaw | Secretary & AARP SVP Officer | 1 | $0 | $374,364 | $56,869 |
| Thomas Wagenlander | Executive Director Officer | 40 | $237,082 | $0 | $46,428 |
| Beau Ballinger | Director, Business Planning & Ops Highest-paid employee | 40 | $140,008 | $0 | $51,197 |
| Kristen Prusky | Director, Marketing & Comms Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,648 | $0 | $45,631 |
| Steven Glaser | Director, Wish Program Highest-paid employee | 40 | $131,362 | $0 | $25,858 |
| Jared Bloomfield | Director, Field Program Highest-paid employee | 40 | $129,323 | $0 | $25,644 |
| Jeremy Bloom | Board Chair Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $137,500 | $0 |
| Elija Valdez | Manager, Wish Fulfillment Highest-paid employee | 40 | $106,054 | $0 | $21,688 |
| Laurie Schadegg Thomas | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Eric Chess | Vice Chair Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Kent McGlincy | Director (until 10/19/2023) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Eric Hirschberg | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Eliot Hamlisch | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Michelle Armstrong | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 601 E ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20049-0001
- In care of
- % TOM WAGENLANDER
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- Thomas Wagenlander, 303 East 17th Ave Ste 850, Denver, CO 80203
- Signed the 990
- Thomas Wagenlander, Executive Director
- Phone
- (303) 954-9144
- Website
- www.wishofalifetime.org
- Return prepared by
- Andersen Tax LLC
Mission
Wish of A Lifetime's (WOL) mission is to spark hope and joy in the hearts of older adults by fulfilling their dreams through personalized experiences that promote healthy and purposeful aging. We share these stories to inspire those of all ages.
Program accomplishments
- We envision a world where everyone ages with hope and joy, older adults are celebrated for their wisdom, accomplishments, and sacrifices, and intergenerational connections enrich our daily lives. Wishes connect older adults to people, purpose, and passions to eliminate feelings of isolation and help them live vibrant, purposeful lives. Wishes are a catalyst to share our recipients incredible and inspiring stories that we believe break down generational boundaries and empower our recipients to once again discover their purpose and passion in life.Expenses $4,004,356
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 26-2123649
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2008
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Human services (P60)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,181,144
- Income (IRS master file)
- $4,687,342
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $4,687,342 | $4,921,245 | $1,181,144 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $4,129,021 | $4,999,371 | $1,365,509 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $4,388,785 | $4,842,711 | $2,194,296 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $3,476,215 | $3,004,872 | $2,634,392 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 26-2123649).
Questions about WISH OF A LIFETIME
- What is the EIN of WISH OF A LIFETIME?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WISH OF A LIFETIME is 26-2123649.
- Is WISH OF A LIFETIME tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2008.
- Are donations to WISH OF A LIFETIME tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WISH OF A LIFETIME file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of WISH OF A LIFETIME due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did WISH OF A LIFETIME last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of WISH OF A LIFETIME?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Thomas Wagenlander.
- Who are the officers and directors of WISH OF A LIFETIME?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 15 people; 6 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does WISH OF A LIFETIME have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $4,687,342, expenses of $4,921,245 and total assets of $1,181,144 at year end.
Other nonprofits in WASHINGTON
- AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS EIN 53-0196605 · last filed 990 for 2025
- HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS INC EIN 52-1862406 · last filed 990 for 2025
- AARP FOUNDATION EIN 52-0794300 · last filed 990 for 2024
- GREATER WASHINGTON URBAN LEAGUE INC EIN 53-0208981 · last filed 990 for 2025
- FRIENDS OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM INC EIN 13-3843435 · last filed 990 for 2025
- MAG AMERICA INC EIN 52-2302253 · last filed 990 for 2024
- ZERO TO THREE - NATIONAL CENTER FOR INFANTS TODDLERS AND FAMILIES EIN 52-1105189 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DEMOCRACY FUND INC EIN 38-3926408 · last filed 990-PF for 2024
All nonprofits in WASHINGTON · District of Columbia · Human services