Mattel Children's Foundation Awards Second Round of Domestic Grants to 34 Nonprofit Organizations

Organizations Focusing on Children's Health and Wellbeing, Learning and Literacy and Girls' Self-Esteem in 24 States Receive $400,000 


EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 7  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Mattel Children's Foundation announced today the recipients of its second round of domestic grants.  Thirty-four nonprofit organizations directly serving children in need in 24 states will receive grants funded by Mattel.  Grants range from $3,500 to $20,000, with an average grant amount at $10,000 per organization.  The Mattel Children's Foundation is awarding $400,000 during this second phase of the grant making process in 2005.

"Once again, The Mattel Children's Foundation is very excited to award such a diverse group of organizations that support children and serve our mission to make a meaningful difference, one child at a time," said Kevin Farr, chairman of the Mattel Children's Foundation and chief financial officer of Mattel, Inc.  "Through these very worth organizations, Mattel will be able to help improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in need across the country."

This second round of grant making for 2005 represents one of the Mattel Children's Foundation's new programs announced earlier this year as part of the Foundation's relaunch.  The organizations that receive grants are selected based on their direct impact on children in need and their focus on one of the Foundation's three priority areas:  health and wellbeing; learning and literacy; and girls' self-esteem and self-empowerment.  Grants are made for general operating needs or are project-specific.  More than 1,100 grant applications were submitted by non-profit organizations across the U.S.

"This has been an exciting year for the Mattel Children's Foundation," said Deidre Lind, executive director of the Mattel Children's Foundation. "While the selection process was obviously difficult with so many worthy organizations in consideration, we are proud to announce the 34 selected organizations and excited to watch as grants are put into action."

The chosen organizations represent a diverse group of nonprofits that manage programs with proven results.  Some examples include:

Taking the Reins, California: Inspires underserved girls facing the challenges of adolescence in high risk environments, to develop self-esteem, teamwork and leadership skills, principally through the Riding and Learning Lab programs and caring for horses.

Seedlings Braille Books for Children, Michigan: Dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by providing high-quality, low-cost children's literature and other materials in braille.

Wonders and Worries, Texas: Provides psychosocial support for children, youths and families coping with life-threatening or chronic illness.

For a full listing of grant recipients, please see attached page or visit: http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/.

The Mattel Children's Foundation will award grants again in 2006 using the same guidelines.  Applications are available from January 1 to April 7 and can be accessed at http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/.

About the Mattel Children's Foundation

The Mattel Children's Foundation was established in 1978.  With a vision of "making a meaningful difference, one child at a time," the Foundation provides cash grants through domestic and international grantmaking programs, as well as international scholarships to children of employees, matching gifts and volunteer grants for Mattel employees.  In addition, the Foundation continues its tradition of partnering with exemplary nonprofit partners.  In 2005, Mattel will partner with Special Olympics, Save the Children, the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF).  The Mattel Children's Foundation is funded exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc.

                    2005 Second Round Grant Recipients

  Priority Area:  Girls Self-Esteem and Self-Empowerment
  Blue Hill Observatory Science Center              East Milton, Utah
  Bridgerland Community Ice Area                    North Logan, Utah
  Community Initiatives                             South Ligonier, Ind.
  Empower Program                                   Washington D.C.
  Gift for Teaching of Tampa Bay                    Tampa, Fla.
  Girls' Opportunities for Adventure & Leadership   Atlanta, Ga.
  Sports Dreams                                     Greensboro, N.C.
  Taking the Reins                                  Los Angeles, Calif.


  Priority Area:  Health & Wellbeing of Children
  DDD Foundation                                    Atlanta, Ga.
  Every Person Influences Children                  Buffalo, N.Y.
  Foundation for Positively Kids                    Las Vegas, Nev.
  Nurturing Individuals Needing Assistance          Calumet City, Ill.
  Practice Without Pressure                         Bear, Del.
  Put Children First                                Hacker Valley, W. Va.
  Wonder & Worries, Inc.                            Austin, Texas


  Priority Area:  Literacy & Learning
  Alternatives Incorporated                         Hampton, Va.
  Book 'Em                                          Nashville, Tenn.
  Community Partners/First Steps Early Literacy     Los Angeles, Calif.
  Explore & More, A Children's Museum               East Aurora, N.Y.
  Heights Parent Center                             Cleveland Heights, Ohio
  Love and Hope Foundation                          Tampa, Fla.
  Midcity Excellence Community Learning Center      St. Joseph, Mo.
  National Lekotek Center                           Chicago, Ill.
  Oceanographic Teaching Solutions                  Los Angeles, Calif.
  Pajama Program, Inc.                              New York, N.Y.
  Philadelphia Young Playwrights                    Philadelphia, Pa.
  Replay for Kids                                   Medina, Ohio
  Rock the Classroom                                Santa Monica, Calif.
  San Antonio Youth Literacy                        San Antonio, Texas
  Seedlings Braille Books for Children              Livonia, Mich.
  Southern Early Childhood Association              Jackson, Miss.
  Turning Point Partners                            New Orleans, La.
  Werling Reading Teams                             Tacoma, Wash.
  Zink the Zebra Foundation                         Mequon, Wis.


DATASOURCE: Mattel, Inc.



CONTACT:  Jules Andres, Corporate Communications of Mattel, Inc.,

[phone], 



Web site:  http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy 



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