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 volunteer opportunities to encourage Mattel employees to engage in community service and philanthropy. The overwhelming involvement of our employees in these programs clearly displays the caring spirit shared by those who make up the Mattel family.

In 2004, 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 Volunteers
Mattel employees around the world engage in community service to brighten the lives of others, and enrich their own lives in the process. Employees around the world share their time and talents by renovating playgrounds, cleaning up beaches, removing graffiti from the walls of neighborhood schools, reading to school children, being mentors, and participating in various races (walks/runs/cycling) to raise funds to help save the environment or help find cures for disease. Others paint with terminally ill children, make back-to-school and Easter baskets for homeless children or package and deliver meals for people infected with HIV or affected by AIDS. Each gesture of kindness constitutes a great act, because each was done willingly and from the heart.

In 2005, Mattel launches its global partnership with Special Olympics. Employees from around the world will support local Special Olympics affiliates through volunteer efforts involved in local games and other community activities.


Employee Volunteer Grants Program
The Mattel Children's Foundation awards Employee Volunteer Grants to nonprofit organizations where Mattel U.S. employees contribute time, in an unpaid capacity, on an ongoing regular basis. The amount of the award 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.


Employee Matching Gifts
In addition to encouraging their gifts of time and talent, the Mattel Children's Foundation also encourages U.S. employees to support nonprofit organizations monetarily by matching their contributions to educational institutions or nonprofits that serve children.


Global Scholarships for Employees' Children
With higher education increasingly essential to compete and succeed in our world today, the Mattel Children's Foundation assists the children of employees globally with college or university education costs through its scholarship program. The program is offered worldwide to include children of Mattel employees around the world. Renewable scholarships are offered for full-time study at a college, university or vocational school, in any country of the student's choice. Selection is based primarily on financial need, followed by merit.

Scholarships have been awarded to children of employees in the U.S., Brazil, Canada, China/Hong Kong, German, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand and Venezuela.