Our Mission

The Toy Industry Foundation is an innovative organization that gives children in need and at risk the opportunity to meet a vital, yet frequently overlooked, developmental need—play. Research has shown that play is an essential part of a child’s healthy development. For the youngest children, play contributes significantly to the development of motor skills and hand-eye coordination; it also helps them learn about their physical world. In older children and young adults, play helps develop observation, listening, and language skills; problem solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning; communication and teamwork; and self-awareness and the ability to relate to others.

The stress and trauma of poverty, life-threatening illness, natural disasters, abuse, and neglect can affect children’s physical and emotional health and delay their development. It can also have lasting effects throughout their lives. TIF seeks to mitigate these effects through a variety of educational and program initiatives.

Educating the public
TIF has two publications aimed at educating parents, caregivers and the public about the value of safe and developmentally appropriate play. Fun Play, Safe Play and its Spanish version, Juegos Divertidos, Juegos Seguros, cover a range of topics on safe play and age appropriate toys, and Let's Play: A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs is a comprehensive guide to toys for children with all types of special needs.  TIF provides these free of charge to schools, community organizations and the general public. Learn more...

Distributing toys to children in need
The Toy Bank is the first industry-wide program of its kind and a partnership between TIF and Gifts In Kind International, the leading charity in product philanthropy.  Through The Toy Bank, charities serving children in need can obtain new toys, and manufacturers, retailers and distributors of toys can make a difference in the lives of these children.  Thanks to the toy industry’s overwhelming generosity, seven million new toys, valued at over $50 million, have been donated by more than 1,000 companies for children in need since the Toy Bank’s inception in 2003. Learn more...

Awarding grants to deserving organizations
In addition to successful partnerships, TIF continues to extend their reach through grantmaking. TIF has been fortunate and honored to fund and sponsor groundbreaking programs and initiatives for deserving organizations whose missions are in line with that of the Toy Industry Foundation. If you would like to learn more about receiving a grant from the Toy Industry Foundation, please contact Amanda McDorman at 646-520-4878.