• 501(c)3 Public Charity organizations – If an organization is a project under a fiscal sponsor, that sponsor must have a valid tax exemption status.
• Organizations must serve children in communities within the U.S.
• Organizations must not discriminate against a person or a group on the basis of age, political affiliation, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Funding Priorities

• Organizations or programs that creatively address a locally defined need directly impacting children in need.
• Organizations or programs that align with Mattel's philanthropic priorities.

  ·HEALTH: Supporting the health and wellbeing of children through  programs that directly address the physical or mental health of children that  community or increasing access to health care services for children in  need.
  ·EDUCATION: Increasing access to education, promoting literacy to children  in need and resources that promote after-school educational  &  achievement.
  ·GIRLS EMPOWERMENT: Promoting self-esteem of girls and increasing  access to education, health and community resources for girls.

• Pilot projects and new organizations may be considered as long as all eligibility criteria are met; however, preference will be given to organizations that have at least two years of experience.
• Preference is given to organizations that have an annual operating budget of less than $1,000,000 and are not affiliated with a national organization.

• Program-specific grants – Funding for launch of new programs or expansion of existing programs. However, the Foundation will give preference to programs with multiple funding sources.
• Core operating support – Support of organizations to sustain their programs.
  

We don't fund:

• Capital funding for physical property purchase, renovation or developments
• Individuals
• Political parties, candidates or partisan political organizations
• Labor organizations, fraternal organizations, athletic clubs or social clubs
• Sectarian or denominational religious organizations, except for programs that are available to anyone, broadly promoted and free from religious orientation
• Schools and school districts
• Fundraising events (e.g., dinners, tournaments)
• Advertising or marketing sponsorships
• ResearchOverhead and/or indirect costs (including fiscal sponsor fees) that exceed 15 percent of the direct project costs

Funding Cycle
Grant applications will be accepted online during two funding cycles.

Funding is for one fiscal year. No multi-year requests will be accepted. The Foundation does not expect to continue funding programs beyond the period of the grant. Organizations may apply only once in a calendar year. Those that receive a grant should not reapply for funding for at least one year after the end of the existing grant period, unless notified otherwise.

Applications must be submitted online through the Mattel website. Applications will not be accepted by fax or mail. If you have any questions, please send them to foundation@mattel.com.

Application
To access the eligibility quiz to determine if your organization or program is eligible for a grant, please click here.

If your organization or program successfully completes the eligibility quiz, you will automatically link to the grant application.

Applicants serving Madison, Wisconsin, and surrounding communities
Organizations and programs that provide services to children in Madison and surrounding communities (Dane County) are eligible for funding through the American Girl Fund for Children. For more information about this program, please click here.