Child's Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, with offices in Redmond, WA. Founded in 2003 by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of Penny Arcade, the organization was created to change the negative perception of gaming and gamers in media. Child's Play delivers therapeutic games and technology directly to pediatric hospitals and child welfare facilities to improve the lives of children and teens through the power of play.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.1M
+2.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+13.1% YoY
Grant Count
89
+25.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-9.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Child's Play Charity delivers therapeutic games and technology directly to pediatric hospitals to improve patients' lives through the power of play.
Core Focus Areas:
- Therapeutic gaming and technology integration in pediatric hospitals
- Patient experience enhancement through gaming
- Support for child life departments in hospitals
- Gaming and technology specialist positions within children's hospitals
- Domestic violence shelter support programs
- Annual toy and equipment distribution to partner hospitals
The organization addresses the stress and anxiety children experience in hospital settings by providing games and technology as therapeutic tools to normalize their stay, reduce fear and pain, and create necessary distractions for healing.
Grantmaking
Child's Play functions primarily as a grant-making and gift-distribution organization rather than a traditional grantmaker. The organization provides both in-kind contributions (games and gaming systems) and cash grants to partner hospitals.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Child's Play partners with 190+ hospitals across the globe. Primary funding focus areas include Florida, Texas, and California, though the organization maintains an international presence with partner hospitals worldwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $15,114,514
- Total Revenue: $4,178,889
- Total Expenses: $3,771,758
- Total Giving: $2,343,143
Historical Context:
- Over $71 million raised since founding in 2003
- 23 years of operations (as of 2026)
Rating: Four-Star charity with 96% overall score (based on Accountability & Finance and Leadership & Adaptability metrics)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,114,514 | $14,800,858 | $14,022,478 |
| Revenue | $4,178,889 | $3,714,680 | $4,396,454 |
| Expenses | $3,771,758 | $3,761,769 | $3,737,000 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $560,669 | $405,492 | $397,030 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
230 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Childrens Hospital Los Angeles ($317,141), Atrium Health Foundation ($187,315), Vanderbilt University Medical Center ($147,077).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL LOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GIFT, GRANT - PEDIATRIC GAMING TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST | $317,141 |
| ATRIUM HEALTH FOUNDATION CHARLOTTE, NC | GIFT, GRANT - PEDIATRIC GAMING TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST | $187,315 |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER NASHVILLE, TN | GIFT, GRANT - PEDIATRIC GAMING TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST | $147,077 |
| UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GIFT, GRANT - EQUIPMENT | $79,500 |
| DELL CHILDRENS MEDICAL CENTER AUSTIN, TX | GIFT, GRANT - EQUIPMENT | $59,100 |
| LE BONHEUR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION MEMPHIS, TN | GIFT, GRANT - EQUIPMENT | $57,300 |
| TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HOUSTON, TX | GIFT, GRANT - EQUIPMENT | $47,500 |
| INTEGRIS HEALTH FOUNDATION OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | GIFT, GRANT - EQUIPMENT | $39,200 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF THE KING'S DAUGHTERS NORFOLK, VA | GIFT, GRANT - EQUIPMENT | $32,500 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION INC MILWAUKEE, WI | GIFT, GR | $30,100 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Mike Krahulik & Jerry Holkins: Founders (Penny Arcade)
- Travis Eriksen: Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELAINE CHASE | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| MIKE KRAHULIK | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MIKE HAYES | TREASURER (OUTGOING) | 3 | — |
| ASHER MARKS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| TALON BEESCH | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CARLA BARRENTINE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DEB LEE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| TIM DONNELLY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MATEO MESSINA | BOARD MEMBER (OUTGOING) | 2 | — |
| TRAVIS ERIKSEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $136,050 |
| KIRSTEN CARLILE | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY | 40 | $123,875 |
| ANGIE KELLEHER | DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY | 40 | $106,823 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**October 2025:** Child's Play Charity launched a new Gift & Grants System for hospitals
Children\u2019s Hospitals Awarded Toy Foundation Grants in Support of the\**October 2025:** "The Boys are Back!" event scheduled
**March 2026:** PAX East event scheduled
The organization continues to expand its therapeutic gaming initiatives and hospital partnerships globally
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Child's Play fund?
**Mission:** Child's Play Charity delivers therapeutic games and technology directly to pediatric hospitals to improve patients' lives through the power of play. **Core Focus Areas:** • Therapeutic gaming and technology integration in pediatric hospitals • Patient experience enhancement through gaming • Support for child life departments in hospitals • Gaming and technology specialist positions within children's hospitals • Domestic violence shelter support programs • Annual toy and equipment d…
How do I apply for a grant from Child's Play?
Child's Play functions primarily as a grant-making and gift-distribution organization rather than a traditional grantmaker. The organization provides both in-kind contributions (games and gaming systems) and cash grants to partner hospitals. **Grant Activity:** • Distributes annual gifts to 140+ partner hospitals worldwide • Provides equipment grants to smaller facilities • Typical award range: $5,026–$321,807 • Total giving in 2024: $2,343,143 **Programs:** • **Annual Toy Drive:** Distributes …
Where does Child's Play make grants?
Child's Play partners with 190+ hospitals across the globe. Primary funding focus areas include Florida, Texas, and California, though the organization maintains an international presence with partner hospitals worldwide.
What size grants does Child's Play award?
In 2024, Child's Play awarded 89 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Child's Play's EIN?
Child's Play's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3584556. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Child's Play's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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