Play Fund

The Toy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association and operates as a 501(c)(3) children's charity. Its mission is to serve as the uniting force for the collective philanthropic efforts of the toy industry for the benefit of children in need. The foundation is particularly focused on harnessing the power of play to improve the emotional well-being of children in challenging circumstances. Through its various initiatives, The Toy Foundation strives to reach economically disadvantaged communities, especially through hospitals and healthcare systems. The Play Grants program administered by The Toy Foundation is designed to support play-based projects within children’s hospitals and healthcare facilities across the United States. These grants aim to bring comfort, joy, and developmental enrichment to infants, children, and teens undergoing medical care. Eligible projects may include the upgrading of playrooms, development of coping kits, hosting of cultural celebrations, or other play-focused initiatives. The primary goal is to ensure that play continues to be an accessible and healing component of pediatric care, particularly in underserved areas. The scope of the grant program limits eligibility to hospitals and health systems located in the United States that serve economically disadvantaged populations. Only one application may be submitted per hospital, and the supported projects must be scheduled to occur within the 2026 calendar year. Award amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the scale and nature of the proposed project. In addition to monetary support, The Toy Foundation may coordinate toy donations throughout the year, contingent upon its capacity. The application process consists of five sections: background information, project narrative, project criteria, assurances, and additional opportunities. While specific evaluation criteria are not disclosed in the announcement, it is implied that alignment with the mission and objectives of the foundation will be essential for a competitive submission. No pre-application steps or LOIs are required; the application is submitted directly through the foundation’s platform. Key dates for the 2025 cycle include an application open date of October 13, 2025, and a final submission deadline of November 10, 2025. Applicants will be notified of decisions between December 15 and December 22, 2025. For awarded grantees, funds will be distributed in the first quarter of 2026, contingent upon a fully executed contract. There is no indication of webinars or Q&A sessions. For inquiries, applicants may contact Erin Wright via email at EWright@toyfoundation.org or by phone at 646-520-4851. All interested applicants are encouraged to begin preparations early, considering the narrow submission window and the specificity of the program's eligibility criteria.