The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) announced the Richard Gottlieb Toy Entrepreneurship Grant in 2024 in partnership with University of Richmond (UofR), Gottlieb’s alma mater, to support students through co-curricular experiences that introduce them to the toy industry. Thanks to the industry’s generosity, in 2025 the grant enabled UofR students to attend Toy Fair® New York and the “THINK BIG: Career Opportunities in the World of Toys Symposium” on the UofR campus.

To continue Gottlieb’s legacy and engage more UofR students, Gottlieb’s family is calling on the industry to consider making a donation through TTF’s website. Donate online here and in the “Where would you like your donation to go?” dropdown menu, select “Richard Gottlieb Grant.” To donate via check, contact TTF staff.

Donations to the Richard Gottlieb Grant will help ensure more UofR students are exposed to the exciting, wide-ranging careers available within the toy industry. Planned upcoming activities include hosting the symposium annually at UofR and bringing students to Toy Fair New York in 2027.

“Richard’s passion for play was contagious. By supporting the Richard Gottlieb Toy Entrepreneurship Grant, you are exposing students to his curiosity, connection, and joy of play,” said Wendy Levey, Gottlieb’s wife. “Thank you to everyone who has honored his legacy with a donation.”

2025 Activities & Impact:

• Toy Fair New York: UofR students saw the latest toy offerings, spoke with company representatives, and participated in a private panel that offered eye-opening insights into the industry. Many left the show with a new curiosity and fresh perspective on the toy industry, presenting toy companies with premier recruitment prospects.
  
  “Toy Fair was an amazing opportunity to learn about the future of the toy industry, relive a little bit of my childhood experience, and find some potential opportunities for my future career,” said UofR student Daniel Simes, a business major with a concentration in marketing.
  
  
• THINK BIG: Career Opportunities in the World of Toys Symposium: Hosted at UofR, students were exposed to the depth, diversity, and creativity that encompass the toy industry. A panel of industry professionals representing a wide range of disciplines spoke to their own and the variety of career paths available within the industry; how ideas move from concept to market and the skill sets required; and the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and passion in an ever-evolving industry. Read more about the symposium here.

Gottlieb founded Global Toy Experts in 1994, where he offered business development consulting, helped manufacturers enter the North American and global markets, and provided intellectual property development and third-party placement to inventors and designers. In 2010, he launched Global Toy News and published his own commentary on the industry and articles from play industry experts on the toy business. He also began producing and co-hosting “The Playground Podcast” with Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy, in 2019. Byrne continues to host the podcast and serves as editor of Global Toy Magazine with Wendy Levey, Gottlieb’s wife. Although Gottlieb passed away from ALS in 2023, his valuable work continues with this grant and his magazine.

For more information about UofR, visit Richmond.edu.