Division II raised nearly $270,000 in the 2024-25 academic year as part of its ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish. This is nearly $70,000 more than the 2023-24 academic year.
This contribution included $218,064 from member school and conference donations and $51,510 from the Division II championships and enforcement fine allocation.
Since 2003, Division II schools have donated more than $7 million to Make-A-Wish and helped grant over 700 wishes for children with critical illnesses.
"As Division II student-athletes, we have the unique opportunity to compete at an elite level, succeed in the classroom and impact our communities. Our partnership with Make-A-Wish serves to enrich the lives of children and families nationwide but also impacts us. Serving others is a muscle that needs development, and working with an incredible organization like Make-A-Wish helps us get those reps in. I'm excited to see how our partnership continues to grow and increase in impact," said Avery Hellmuth, former volleyball student-athlete at Oklahoma Baptist and Division II National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee chair.
As part of their fundraising efforts, several schools will get to host wish experiences.These powerful experiences may include moments like when children with a critical illness learn that their wish is being granted, celebrating their upcoming wish with a send-off party or welcoming kids home from their wish. Augustana (South Dakota) and Fairmont State led all schools, with each raising $20,000, followed by Gannon at $14,339 and Arkansas-Monticello at $10,045.
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference led all conferences, with $41,341 raised collectively by its member schools. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference was second among all conferences at $28,730.
Schools earning wish experiences (in alphabetical order):
- Anderson (South Carolina).
- Arkansas-Monticello.
- Augustana (South Dakota).
- Belmont Abbey.
- Edinboro.
- Fairmont State.
- Gannon.
- Kentucky Wesleyan.
- Millersville.
- Missouri Southern State.
- North Georgia.
- Northern Michigan.
- Southern Arkansas.
- Wayne State (Michigan).
- West Chester.
- Wingate.