APPLY FOR A WISH

APPLICATION SUBMISSION WINDOW

You may submit a Grant-A-Wish application year-round. A Million Thanks’ acceptance of a wish is exclusively determined by the Award Selection Committee and their decision is final.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were injured or became ill, on or after 7 October 2001 (the beginning of the War on Terrorism) as a direct result of their normal active duty responsibilities (service connected) in a conflict zone can request an “Application for Wish Grant”.

FAQ
  • Q: How do I apply for a wish and receive an application?
  • A: Click on the above “Request Wish Application” link and fill out the online request form with your contact information.  You will then receive an automatic email with the Wish Application attached.
  • Q: What do I need to provide to complete my application?
  • A: Fill out the Wish Application that you download, sign it in the appropriate places, attach the required write-ups (description of injury and wish request), provide the requested before and after photos and send accompanying proof of injury paperwork to complete your application.
  • Q: How do I submit my application?
  • A: You may submit your completed application to A Million Thanks in one of two ways: Ship a hard copy to the A Million Thanks office or send electronically via email:
  • Q: If I was wounded in a war prior to the beginning of the War on Terrorism (7 October 2001) am I eligible for a wish?
  • A: A Million Thanks’ (AMT) charitable purposes, as approved by the IRS, are aimed at providing aid for service men and women who were injured in the War on Terrorism.  Unfortunately, those who were injured prior to that date are not eligible for our program.
  • Q: What is the process if I am selected?
  • A: After submitting a complete application, you will be contacted by one of our Staff members who will review your application for completeness.  After their review, they will submit your complete application to the Award Selection Committee (ASC).  The ASC, at its sole discretion, will approve or deny accepting the wish.  If your wish is accepted, you will be contacted by a AMT team member who will get your wish posted online

, It is important to note that your approved wish will be assigned a fundraising goal, based on the fair market value of that wish, and that fundraising goal will accompany your wish online. When your wish is posted online, fundraising will begin for your wish and the wish will only be granted once the fundraising goal is met.  AMT will simultaneously work with our charity partners to see if those partners would provide an in-kind donation of product or service and, if possible, the wish will be granted immediately.
  • Q: Can a wounded service member ask for cash to pay off their debts, or otherwise assist with general expenses?
  • A: A Million Thanks’ Grant-A-Wish program is designed to improve the overall quality of life and is not intended to grant cash to individuals for assistance with debt or any other reason.  Therefore, the wish that is requested should be one that will assist with improving individual and/or family life, but not debt relief.
  • Q: What kind of wishes can I ask for?
  • A: Special devices which assist with recovery or therapy, career improvement and living area improvements are some examples of the wish areas that may be granted.  Please browse our previously granted wishes to get a sense of the value and type of wish which are successfully granted.
  • Q: Do I need to send photos of myself?
  • A: Those applicants selected will be required to submit a recent photo of themselves.  It can be a head, partial or full body photo.  “Before” and “After” photos of the injury are preferable and will accompany the story behind the injury and wish request.
  • Q: Will I have to pay income tax on the wish?
  • A: A Million Thanks does not offer legal or tax advice.  Since laws vary state to state, please consult your tax professional prior to submitting your wish.  A Million Thanks, Inc., cannot be responsible if the wish that is granted results in tax liability.  You will be solely responsible for any tax positions and any resulting tax liability in connection with any granted wish.
  • Q: How long does it take to get my wish granted if I am selected?
  • A: Wishes are granted only when the dollar amount of donations meets the stated fundraising goal for the wish.  Depending on the amount needed, public generosity and kind of story and injury, there is no real way to determine the time frame of a wish grant.
WHERE TO SUBMIT

Mail completed applications to – 

A Million Thanks
Attn: Grant A Wish
4590 MacArthur Blvd, Ste 500
Newport Beach, CA 92660

— AND/OR —

Email Completed applications to –

info@amillionthanks.org and include “Grant A Wish” in the subject line

OUR MISSION

A Million Thanks provides support and appreciation to our active and veteran military men and women through sending letters and granting betterment of life wishes, as well as providing higher education scholarships to their children.

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2004, A Million Thanks is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. Military. Tax ID#: 26-0361789

We collect and distribute millions of letters of thanks and support and send them directly to our active, reserve, and veteran military


We grant wishes to our injured military veterans that make their lives more enjoyable.


We provide merit and need based scholarships to children of fallen military

A Million Thanks, Inc. (AMT) is a nonprofit organization that is recognized by the IRS as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, donations to AMT are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.  All donations are received by AMT with the understanding that funds are subject to its full control and discretion.  AMT’s federal tax identification number is #26-0361789.