The US Toy Association charity’s largest funding allocation to date will support play initiatives in 37 children’s hospitals across the country
The Toy Foundation (TTF), the philanthropic arm of the US Toy Association, has awarded more than $600,000 to children’s hospitals across the States to fund play projects for paediatric patients.
The donation will see 37 children’s hospitals benefit from the organisation’s largest funding allocation to date, enabling the facilities to incorporate play into day-to-day care for more than 220,000 young people. The funded play projects will include updating dedicated recreation spaces, facilitating specialised activities, and expanding sensory-friendly experiences.
Pam Mastrota, Executive Director of TTF, said: “The Toy Foundation’s mission is to bring the power of play to children who need it most. By growing the Play Fund, we’re delivering more than play; we’re delivering comfort, joy, and hope to children throughout their medical journeys. We are deeply grateful for every donation that allows us to fund more play projects.”
Grants are being distributed through TTF’s Play Fund program, the only industry-wide fundraising initiative of its kind, which has delivered the power of play to more than 825,000 paediatric patients since 2021. The proven impact of past grant distributions and the continued generosity of the toy industry have enabled TTF to expand its funding to reach more hospitals, more states, and more children over the past five years.
Previous children’s hospital grant recipients have reported that access to play enabled a calmer and normalised environment, allowed for healthier staff-patient interactions, and provided joy and comfort to improve the patient’s quality of life. Learn more about the impact of the 2025 grants here.
“Funding from The Toy Foundation has helped us provide a level of comfort and support to the hospital setting,” said Shelly Brown, Chief Development Officer and Executive Director of Akron Children’s Foundation, a 2025 and 2026 Play Fund grant recipient. “This new grant will help us expand our dedicated play spaces to offer patients, siblings, and caregivers opportunities for imaginative play and creative expression during what can be a stressful and overwhelming time.”
This year’s funding will support approved play projects into 2027 that will benefit patients in a variety of departments throughout the hospital, from the emergency room to the burn centre, haematology/oncology clinic, therapy services, outpatient centres, and more.
For more information about TTF’s Play Fund, to support the program, or to apply for a grant at the next application period, visit ToyFoundation.org or contact the team.
