Since its founding in 1986, GRANTED has significantly impacted families with children facing life-threatening and terminal illnesses. What started as “Wish Upon a Star” has transformed over the years into something much more, and at the heart of it is the determination to do more than just grant wishes.
The nonprofit’s development director, Chandra Beck, shared that the turning point came in 2015 when Executive Director Susan Washburn took the reins. At that time, she said the organization was struggling financially and considering closing its doors.
“They had about enough money for a couple of months,” Beck said. “Susan said, ‘No, our local families deserve more than that,’ and dug her heels in to keep the organization alive.”
Washburn and the board rebranded the organization in 2016 to differentiate it from Make-A-Wish, adopting the name “Granted.” Since then, Granted has steadily grown, focusing not just on granting wishes but on providing long-term support to families.
Granted serves children ages 3 to 18 facing life-threatening conditions, with wishes as unique as the children themselves. From Disney World trips to meeting celebrities, each wish is tailored to the child’s dream.
“We had a family from Owensboro this year, and her wish was to visit ‘Little House on the Prairie,’” Beck shared. “We connected with the town of Independence, Kansas, and they did an amazing job creating an unforgettable experience for that family.”
Beck said Granted truly stands out because of its Beyond the Wish program, which focuses on ongoing support after the wish has been fulfilled. The program offers gas cards, food cards, hotel stays, and other necessities for families traveling to major hospitals like Riley Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Granted organizes inclusive events and holiday gatherings, adopting entire families for Christmas.
“When a child is facing a life-threatening illness, it’s not just the child who is affected—it’s the whole family,” Beck said. “We don’t just adopt the wish child; we adopt the entire family because they’re all going through this together.”
In the Owensboro area alone, Granted supports 25 to 30 families. While donations are always needed, Beck emphasized the importance of partnerships. “We want to connect our families with resources that already exist in Owensboro,” she said. “If we can find those partnerships and connect families with organizations like the Wendell Foster Center or the local Autism Center, that’s what we’re looking for.”
Looking forward, Beck hopes to expand those partnerships in Owensboro to provide more comprehensive support for local families.
While the organization has grown, the staffing remains small but passionate. Washburn, who wears multiple hats as the executive director, wish coordinator, and financial director, has recently expanded the team by adding a part-time assistant and Beck as the full-time development director.
“It’s been a one-person show for so long,” Beck said with a smile. “Now, we’re a strong staff of two and a half people.”
As Granted looks ahead, its mission remains clear: granting wishes while providing long-term, meaningful support to families in their most challenging times.
For more information on how to support Granted, visit their website or consider partnering to help the families of Owensboro find the resources they need.
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.
Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or [email protected].
