Mattel Childrens Foundation

Overview: In general the foundation and the corporation are interested in children's charities, especially for children's health related causes. The foundation recently fulfilled its five-year, $62 million commitment to developing the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA. During the five year period, the foundation virtually ceased all other funding and did not accept unsolicited applications.

There are five places to access Mattel philanthropy:

1. Mattel Children's Foundation which is about to open up new initiatives related to children's charities and children's health

2. Mattel Corporate Philanthropy which awards $800,000 in cash to children's charities annually and $8 million in donated products.

3. Mattel's Philanthropic Brand Initiatives which uses its toys and characters to support specific charitable initiatives such as "Barbie Cares Supporting Children in the Arts", PSAs for children with AIDS, and a specially produced Puerto Rican Barbie for the Puerto Rican Legal Defense & Education Fund's annual dinner.

4. Gifts Inkind Mattel donates millions of dollars annually through the Gifts Inkind program and its special webpage link for Gifts Inkind is provided above.

5. American Girl product donations are available on a very limited fashion from the company. See eligibility information below.

The Fisher Price division of Mattel also awards grants to organizations in its operating communities, especially Buffalo, NY. However, grants from the division are typically handled by the Mattel Children's Foundation. Contact the foundation for additional details.

NOTE: Recently, the foundation announced it will once again begin accepting applications from children-related charities, especially those involved in children's health issues.

The foundation expects to announce formal guidelines and introduce a new online application form at the beginning of 2005.

The employee matching gifts program will match gifts for education and for children's organizations.

• Children and Youth, Services:
• Disabilities, People with Disabilities:
• Disadvantaged Youth:
• Diseases/Disabilities, AIDS/HIV Services & Research:
• Economically Disadvantaged:
• Education, K-12:
• Health:
• Health Care:
• Health Care, Pediatrics:
• Human Services:
• Philanthropy & Voluntarism, Federated Giving:
• Philanthropy & Voluntarism, Voluntarism Promotion:
• Youth Development:

Sample Grants
$ 15,000 to American Ballet Theatre , New York , NY
$ 15,000 to American Ireland Fund , Boston , MA
$ 5,000 to Autumn House Press , Pittsburgh , PA Volunteerism grant
$ 500 to Castle Program for Virtual Health , Camden , NJ Volunteerism grant
$ 1,500 to Children's Home , Mount Holly , NJ Volunteerism grant
$ 10,000 to Children's Hospital of Buffalo , NY via Fisher Price
$ 5,625 to Explore and More , East Aurora , NY via Fisher Price
$ 15,000 to International Poetry Forum , Pittsburgh , PA
$ 15,000 to Los Angeles County Museum of Art , Los Angeles , CA
$ 4,000,000 to Mattel's Childrens Hospital , Los Angeles , CA
$ 5,000 to Murray Independent School District , Murray , KY via Fisher Price
$ 1,000 to Our House (CA) , Los Angeles , CA
$ 15,000 to Prep for Prep , New York , NY
$ 5,000 to Vermont Academy , Saxtons River , VT
$ 1,300 to YWCA of Buffalo , Buffalo , NY via Fisher Price

Application Procedures::
1. Mattell Children's Foundation

Applications must be in writing and should include:

a. Information concerning the organization including legal name, history, activities and board composition

b. A detailed but concise description of the program for which the funds are sought

c. A program budget and the amount requested A list of other sources of financial support with amounts indicated

d. A copy of the organization's latest audited financial statements

e. A copy of the organization's most recent Form 990 (Income Tax Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax)

f. A copy of the organization's IRS Form 501(c)(3) determination letter

2. Mattel-Gifts Inkind Toy Donation Program

All organizations are required to register with Gifts In Kind International to be considered for the program. Registration is an annual process, and can include registration through a local Gifts In Kind® affiliated program or through direct registration with Gifts In Kind International.

Eligibility Guidelines

The following summary criteria have been established for toy donation consideration. Please review the complete eligibility guidelines on the application carefully. Priority is given to nonprofits who serve children ages 0-12. Eligible organizations:

a. Must have nonprofit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service; be located in the U.S.

b. Must directly serve children in need (third-party and fundraising organizations are not qualified; schools, including preschools and day-care, religious, fraternal, business or social organizations are not qualified).

c. Note: Mattel is not currently able to contribute toys for silent auctions, conferences, gift bag items, incentives or prizes, fundraisers, galas, tournaments, races/runs/walks, or similar events.

Shipment and Request Status Information

Special delivery arrangements cannot be made. All applications will be acknowledged within two weeks of receipt - please allow adequate time before requesting status.

For toy requests specifically for holiday activities, the deadline for the application is September 30. All approved organizations will receive donated toys in late November.

To check the status of your application, please contact Gifts In Kind International via email at mattel@giftsinkind.org and provide your organization’s Gifts In Kind Registration Number, name, contact name, address, and phone number or call (703) 836-2121.

3. American Girl

To request a product donation form, please send a letter on your organization's letterhead. Completed forms should be returned to the department at least six weeks before your fund-raising event. All requests will be acknowledged by mail. No phone calls, please.

American Girl
Toy Donations
Attn: Charitable Donations Department
8400 Fairway Place
Middleton, WI 53562

4. Gifts-Inkind Follow the link listed above for guidelines and the application form. To receive Mattel gifts inkind, the organization must register annually with the Gifts Inkind organization. The link above will also lead to registration information.

Grants Paid

2002 ($4,762,648 )

2003 ($5,924,165 )

2004 ($5,907,306 )

2005 ($4,161,825 )

2006 ($4,356,289 )

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