The mission of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is to make life more bearable for children, families and pets in need of the kindness of others. Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation will make grants to qualified non-profit organizations (either 501(c)(3) organizations or registered Canadian charities) that support the health and wellness of children and families, the care and welfare of animals and the promotion of literacy and education for all.

Children's Health & Wellness

We desire to provide direct support for children in the areas of health and wellness such as childhood disease research foundations, child safety organizations and organizations that serve children with special needs. Our goal is to provide grants to help many programs that are working hard to make the world a healthier and happier place for kids.

These grants are funded through the sale of Champ – A Champion Fur Kids. One dollar from the sale of Champ is donated through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to children’s health and wellness causes throughout the United States and Canada. Click here for details on Nikki's Legacy, the inspiration behind these efforts.

We are no longer accepting grant applications in 2011. We will begin accepting grant applications again in March of 2012.

Click here for specific guidelines for our children’s health and wellness grants..

Click here for a list of 2009 Children’s Health and Wellness Grants.

Domestic Pets

We seek to provide direct support for animals in domestic pet programs including animal welfare organizations, pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations, and therapeutic and humane education pet programs.

These grants are funded through the sale of our Bearemy's Kennel Pals^®. One dollar from the sale of each plush animal in this line is donated through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to organizations working with or on behalf of domestic pets throughout the United States and Canada.

We are no longer accepting grant applications in 2011. We will begin accepting grant applications again in March of 2012.

Click here for our specific guidelines for our domestic pet grants.

Click here for a list of 2009 Domestic Pet Grants.

Literacy and Education

We want to provide direct support for children in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs, early childhood education programs and literacy programs for children with special needs.

These grants are made possible through the sale of Read Teddy^® – a special furry friend available in all Build A Bear Workshop® stores. With the sale of each Read Teddy, 50 cents is donated to First Book and 50 cents is donated through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to other literacy programs throughout the United States and Canada.

We are no longer accepting grant applications in 2011. We will begin accepting grant applications again in March of 2012.

Click here for specific guidelines for our literacy and education grants.

Click here for a list of 2009 Literacy and Education Grants.

Click here to view a copy of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation 990 Form.

For more information about our grant program or our foundation, please contact our Foundation Bear at giving@buildabear.com