Organizations Focusing on Children's Health and Wellbeing, Learning and
Literacy and Girls' Self-Esteem in 24 States Receive $400,000
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Mattel Children's
Foundation announced today the recipients of its second round of domestic
grants. Thirty-four nonprofit organizations directly serving children in need
in 24 states will receive grants funded by Mattel. Grants range from $3,500
to $20,000, with an average grant amount at $10,000 per organization. The
Mattel Children's Foundation is awarding $400,000 during this second phase of
the grant making process in 2005.
"Once again, The Mattel Children's Foundation is very excited to award
such a diverse group of organizations that support children and serve our
mission to make a meaningful difference, one child at a time," said Kevin
Farr, chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation and chief financial officer
of Mattel, Inc. "Through these very worth organizations, Mattel will be able
to help improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in need across
the country."
This second round of grant making for 2005 represents one of the Mattel
Children's Foundation's new programs announced earlier this year as part of
the Foundation's relaunch. The organizations that receive grants are selected
based on their direct impact on children in need and their focus on one of the
Foundation's three priority areas: health and wellbeing; learning and
literacy; and girls' self-esteem and self-empowerment. Grants are made for
general operating needs or are project-specific. More than 1,100 grant
applications were submitted by non-profit organizations across the U.S.
"This has been an exciting year for the Mattel Children's Foundation,"
said Deidre Lind, executive director of the Mattel Children's Foundation.
"While the selection process was obviously difficult with so many worthy
organizations in consideration, we are proud to announce the 34 selected
organizations and excited to watch as grants are put into action."
The chosen organizations represent a diverse group of nonprofits that
manage programs with proven results. Some examples include:
Taking the Reins, California: Inspires underserved girls facing the
challenges of adolescence in high risk environments, to develop self-esteem,
teamwork and leadership skills, principally through the Riding and Learning
Lab programs and caring for horses.
Seedlings Braille Books for Children, Michigan: Dedicated to increasing
the opportunity for literacy by providing high-quality, low-cost children's
literature and other materials in braille.
Wonders and Worries, Texas: Provides psychosocial support for children,
youths and families coping with life-threatening or chronic illness.
For a full listing of grant recipients, please see attached page or visit:
http://www.Mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/.
The Mattel Children's Foundation will award grants again in 2006 using the
same guidelines. Applications are available from January 1 to April 7 and can
be accessed at http://www.Mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/.
About the Mattel Children's Foundation
The Mattel Children's Foundation was established in 1978. With a vision
of "making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," the Foundation
provides cash grants through domestic and international grantmaking programs,
as well as international scholarships to children of employees, matching gifts
and volunteer grants for Mattel employees. In addition, the Foundation
continues its tradition of partnering with exemplary nonprofit partners. In
2005, Mattel will partner with Special Olympics, Save the Children, the Mattel
Children's Hospital at UCLA, the National Association of Children's Hospitals
and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation
(CAAF). The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash
donations from Mattel, Inc.
2005 Second Round Grant Recipients
Priority Area: Girls Self-Esteem and Self-Empowerment
Blue Hill Observatory Science Center East Milton, Utah
Bridgerland Community Ice Area North Logan, Utah
Community Initiatives South Ligonier, Ind.
Empower Program Washington D.C.
Gift for Teaching of Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla.
Girls' Opportunities for Adventure & Leadership Atlanta, Ga.
Sports Dreams Greensboro, N.C.
Taking the Reins Los Angeles, Calif.
Priority Area: Health & Wellbeing of Children
DDD Foundation Atlanta, Ga.
Every Person Influences Children Buffalo, N.Y.
Foundation for Positively Kids Las Vegas, Nev.
Nurturing Individuals Needing Assistance Calumet City, Ill.
Practice Without Pressure Bear, Del.
Put Children First Hacker Valley, W. Va.
Wonder & Worries, Inc. Austin, Texas
Priority Area: Literacy & Learning
Alternatives Incorporated Hampton, Va.
Book 'Em Nashville, Tenn.
Community Partners/First Steps Early Literacy Los Angeles, Calif.
Explore & More, A Children's Museum East Aurora, N.Y.
Heights Parent Center Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Love and Hope Foundation Tampa, Fla.
Midcity Excellence Community Learning Center St. Joseph, Mo.
National Lekotek Center Chicago, Ill.
Oceanographic Teaching Solutions Los Angeles, Calif.
Pajama Program, Inc. New York, N.Y.
Philadelphia Young Playwrights Philadelphia, Pa.
Replay for Kids Medina, Ohio
Rock the Classroom Santa Monica, Calif.
San Antonio Youth Literacy San Antonio, Texas
Seedlings Braille Books for Children Livonia, Mich.
Southern Early Childhood Association Jackson, Miss.
Turning Point Partners New Orleans, La.
Werling Reading Teams Tacoma, Wash.
Zink the Zebra Foundation Mequon, Wis.
SOURCE Mattel, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.Mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/540363.html
CONTACT:
Jules Andres, Corporate Communications of
Mattel, Inc., +1-310-252-3529, Jules.Andres@mattel.com
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