The Toy Foundation Opens Applications for Children’s Hospital Play Grants

Grants will support play-related projects and activities in children’s hospital settings

July 5, 2022 | The Toy Foundation (TTF) has announced its Children’s Hospital Play Grants program will return for a second year and is now accepting applications from hospitals seeking play-related projects and activities in 2022/2023. Any company involved with a children’s hospital is invited to forward the application for the hospital(s) to complete and submit.

TTF created the Children’s Hospital Play Grants program to bring the healing power of play to children’s hospital settings, especially those in underserved communities with budget constraints. During difficult times for children and their families, access to play can help relieve stress and have an overall positive impact on the children’s relationships and well-being.

The 2022/2023 play grants will be awarded to children’s hospitals in the U.S. based on the play project and need. Grants will range from $10,000 to $25,000. Applications are due by August 9, 2022, and grantees will be announced in September 2022. Questions and completed applications can be sent to ttfinfo@toyfoundation.org.

“The Toy Foundation and its Board are grateful to offer a second year of funding to bring the benefits of play to more children’s hospital settings,” said Kathleen Campisano, global chief marketing officer & general manager of Beacon Media Group and chair of TTF’s Children’s Hospital Committee. “This year, we are expanding our funding to support the industry’s own philanthropic initiatives within children’s hospitals. Any company can share this grant opportunity with their hospital partners and encourage them to apply.”

TTF launched the Children’s Hospital Play Grants program in 2021 and distributed more than $365,000 to 18 children’s hospitals throughout the United States in partnership with the Children’s Hospital Association. The grants helped fulfill a variety of needs for pediatric patients that may have otherwise not been met, such as offering sensory toys and tools for patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital at The University of Rochester Medical Center; broadcasting play activities in-room for all patients at Children’s Hospital of Alabama and Children’s of Mississippi; providing developmentally appropriate and interactive toy activities and kits at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital; and more.

TTF is calling on the play community to support this program via financial contributions, product donations, volunteer activities, and more. To explore ways to get involved, contact TTF’s director of development John Fistolera.

“We look forward to growing our Children’s Hospital Play Grants program and offering more children comfort, joy, and the physical, emotional, and educational benefits of play,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “The play community is extremely philanthropic, and we hope to unite our collective work to create a greater impact in children’s hospitals and beyond.”

Visit the TTF website to learn more about The Toy Foundation’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program.