Mattel Children's Foundation
The Mattel Children's Foundation is a private foundation based in El Segundo, California. It supports organizations serving children in need, with the foundation stating that play is essential to children’s learning and development.
Mattel Children's Foundation at a glance
In short: Mattel Children's Foundation gave $202K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), mostly in California. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $202,437
- -15.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -37.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,244
- +35.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $152,129
- +141.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (4 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (60% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mattel Children's Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Domestic applications are accepted by invitation only, by program, with an emphasis on organizations directly serving children in need. International applications for organizations serving children are also by invitation only. Applications must include a program budget, certification of charitable status, and a current board of directors list. The foundation does not award grants for endowments, individuals, religious, fraternal, political, social, or veterans’ organizations, labor groups, or advertising.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are considered year-round, January 1 through December 31.
- Deadline
- Applications are considered year-round, January 1 through December 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Mattel Children'S Foundation
Mailing address: 333 Continental Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone: (310) 252-3630
Website: https://corporate.mattel.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mattel Children's Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Matching Grants ($62K). Together the top 10 received $202K.
Grant Size Distribution
73 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 67 grants of 73 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 23% to Connecticut, and 16% to New York. The listed grants also show support for organizations in those states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Mattel Children's Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 10 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $202K (2024) to $299K (2022). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $202K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Matching Grants El Segundo, CA | General Operating Support | $62,437 |
| American Red Cross Santa Monica, CA | Disaster Relief | $25,000 |
| Good Foundation New York, NY | Disaster Relief | $25,000 |
| Save the Children Federation Inc Fairfield, CT | Disaster Relief | $25,000 |
| The Salvation Amry Carson, CA | Disaster Relief | $25,000 |
| Museique Pasadena, CA | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Connecticut Children's Foundation Hartford, CT | General Operating Support | $7,500 |
| Emerge Connecticut New Haven, CT | Disaster Relief | $7,500 |
| Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT | General Operating Support | $7,500 |
| Soroka Medical Center Scarsdale, NY | General Operating Support | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $152,129 | $365,442 | $365,442 | $202,437 | 10 | $241,205 | $352 |
| 2023 | $63,047 | $295,009 | $295,009 | $238,548 | 16 | $263,449 | $360 |
| 2022 | $67,185 | $337,062 | $337,062 | $299,368 | 10 | $305,936 | $550 |
| 2021 | $53,554 | $300,830 | $300,830 | $260,805 | 15 | $262,889 | $556 |
| 2020 | $51,742 | $273,689 | $273,689 | $224,216 | 22 | — | $1,541 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mattel Children's Foundation reported a distributable amount of $352 for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it seeks to make a meaningful difference one child at a time by supporting organizations that directly serve children in need. It states that play is fundamental to learning and development, and that many children lack access to play.
Its 2024 grants included disaster relief and general operating support. Examples of supported organizations include Save the Children Federation, whose stated mission is to achieve immediate and lasting change in children’s lives, and Muse/Ique, which says it creates live music events and outreach programs to inspire creativity and foster new generations of music lovers. Connecticut Children’s Foundation says it raises resources to support Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Emerge Connecticut describes its work as helping formerly incarcerated people return successfully to their families and communities.
Mattel says the Hot Wheels Speedometry curriculum was developed through a collaboration involving the Mattel Children’s Foundation, USC Rossier School of Education, and the Hot Wheels Brand Team. Mattel also states that the foundation underwrites the Ruth Handler Mentorship Program, which supports women’s career development in the toy, licensing, and entertainment industry.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $202,437. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $62,437, with a median of $17,500. The largest listed grant was $62,437 for matching grants, for general operating support. Other notable grants included $25,000 each to the American Red Cross, Good Foundation, Save the Children Federation, and The Salvation Army, all for disaster relief.
The foundation also gave $10,000 to Muse/Ique for general operating support. Grants of $7,500 each went to Connecticut Children’s Foundation, Quinnipiac University, and Soroka Medical Center for general operating support, and to Emerge Connecticut for disaster relief.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nancy Molenda as president, Dave Zbojniewicz as chief financial officer, Amarilis Whitty as vice president, Melissa Hogan as treasurer, and Michael Olivas as secretary. Board members listed are Catherine Frymark, PJ Lewis, Tiffani Magri, Karen Ancira, and Steve Totzke.
Mattel Children's Foundation is led by Nancy Molenda, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nancy Molenda
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Zbojniewicz
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Hogan
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pj Lewis
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Totzke
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tiffani Magri
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amarilis Whitty
Vice President
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Frymark
Board Member
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Ancira
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Olivas
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Amy Thompson (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Lilian Balasanian (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Dena Cook (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Pellegrino (2020) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Mattel Children's Foundation
How much does Mattel Children's Foundation give each year?
Mattel Children's Foundation gave $202K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $239K across 16 grants.
What is Mattel Children's Foundation's typical grant size?
Mattel Children's Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $20,244, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mattel Children's Foundation that year got $16K on average.
Where does Mattel Children's Foundation give grants?
Mattel Children's Foundation gives mostly in California: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (23%) and New York (16%).
Does Mattel Children's Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of Mattel Children's Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Disaster Relief" (5 grants).
Who are Mattel Children's Foundation's largest grantees?
Mattel Children's Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Matching Grants ($62,437), American Red Cross ($25,000) and Good Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Mattel Children's Foundation?
Mattel Children's Foundation reported $152K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $241K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $352 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Mattel Children's Foundation fund?
The foundation says it seeks to make a meaningful difference one child at a time by supporting organizations that directly serve children in need. It states that play is fundamental to learning and development, and that many children lack access to play. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mattel Children's Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mattel Children's Foundation's EIN?
Mattel Children's Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3263647. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Mattel Children's Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mattel Children's Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mattel-children-s-foundation-morg_c8307611704647dba214f2ea2629428c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_953263647_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mattel Children's Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mattel-children-s-foundation-morg_c8307611704647dba214f2ea2629428c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Mattel Children's Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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