Recognizing that the skills and talents of individuals can have a profoundly beneficial impact on communities, the Mattel Children's Foundation organizes and implements a wide variety of programs to encourage Mattel employees to engage in community service and philanthropy. Their overwhelming involvement in these programs clearly displays the caring spirit that is shared by those who make up the Mattel family. During 2003, the Mattel Children’s Foundation made cash contributions totaling approximately $500,000 to the funding of employee programs, including the Employee Volunteer Grants, Employee Matching Gifts and Scholarships for Employees’ Children programs


Mattel employees engage in community service to brighten the lives of others, and undoubtedly enrich their own lives in the process. "Mattel Volunteers: Happy to Help" is the Mattel Children's Foundation's formal volunteer program, through which more than 35 events are coordinated each year.

Employees clean up beaches, remove graffiti from the walls of neighborhood schools, and walk, run, or bicycle to raise funds to help save the environment or cure a disease. Others paint with terminally ill children, make Easter baskets for homeless children, or package and deliver meals for people infected with or affected by AIDS. Each gesture of kindness constitutes a great act, because each was done willingly and from the heart.


The Mattel Children's Foundation will award Employee Volunteer Grants to nonprofit organizations where Mattel employees contribute time, in an unpaid capacity, on an ongoing regular basis. The amount of the award is determined by the Foundation, and depends upon the length and type of service, as well as the total number of Mattel employees currently volunteering time to assist the organization. Preference is given to organizations that have programs benefiting children in need.

Each year the Foundation honors all employee volunteers and recognizes exemplary individuals with Volunteer Service Awards. Special grants are made to the nonprofit organization to which the award winners give their time.


In addition to encouraging their gifts of time and talent, the Mattel Children's Foundation encourages employees to support nonprofit organizations monetarily by matching their contributions to educational institutions or nonprofits that serve children, for up to $5,000 per employee per year.


With higher education increasingly essential to compete and flourish in our world today, the Mattel Children's Foundation assists the children of employees with college or university education costs through its scholarship program. Recipients and their parents are honored each year at a Scholarship Breakfast hosted by Mattel's Chairman and CEO.