Organizations that grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions said they hope improving economic conditions in Ohio allow them to help more children.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter that serves Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky reported recently that it broke its own national organization record for wishes granted by a chapter with 865 in fiscal year 2012, which ended in August. The Ohio-based A Special Wish Foundation, Inc., whose national office and chapters combine to grant between 250 and 300 wishes per year, said fundraising has been a challenge at times in recent years but hopes improvements are ahead.

“Things seem to be improving,” Lisa Hardin, national wish director for A Special Wish, wrote in an email. “We are hopeful that we are on the rebound. We have some wonderful, loyal donors who have supported us year after year.”

Susan McConnell, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky chapter, added, “I think it has been challenging in part because it was a very tumultuous political year. I think every charity dealt with that. People were giving quite a bit to political campaigns.”

Wish-granting organizations accept referrals for qualifying children, usually from a doctor or a medical institution, and determine if the child meets age and other qualifications. They then ask for the child’s wishes and enlist volunteers and connections to help make the wishes happen. Those who work in the field say the process has come to be considered an important part of helping the treatment of children with life-threatening conditions.

The three-state Make-A-Wish chapter reported 2010 revenue of $9.9 million, the most recent tax information available.

Hardin recalled the story of a 17-year-old girl whose chemotherapy caused hair loss, and the girl wanted to attend her prom “like a princess.” The organization contacted a salon and arranged for a wig and other treatments to make it happen. She said in another case, a 10-year-old boy wished to visit San Diego, and because he was also a sports fan the organization arranged for him to go to a San Diego Padres baseball game, watch batting practice and meet players.

Some wishes are more complicated than others. McConnell said they once worked with a 14-year-old boy whose skin condition caused him to be extremely fragile, so much so that his skin would sometimes come off when he was touched. His wish was to be an astronaut and experience zero gravity. Make-A-Wish worked with a company whose training equipment simulated weightlessness and helped the boy’s family experience it with him.

“With so much grief happening, you want to help someone have a happy time,” McConnell said. “That’s what is so rewarding.”

Difficult economic years have struck numerous charities, including these wish-granting groups for children. But organizers stressed that they are aided by thousands of volunteers in Ohio and nearby states and are flexible because of the different types of charity they can accept beyond cash, including connections and especially frequent flier miles.

Officials said they are optimistic about the coming year because of how their organizations’ work inspires others.

“It is amazing,” Hardin wrote, “how many people jump on board and really want to be a part of the wish granting experience.”