Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

OVERVIEW: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity is the fund raising, funding and support organization for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps and provides support in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, who directs the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991.

GOVERENANCE: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is governed by a board of thirteen directors, all of whom are successful business leaders from throughout the nation. All directors served as U. S. Marines. The Foundation’s professional staff is located in the Foundation Offices located just outside the main gate to Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, about 35 miles south of Washington, DC. The Officers and Directors are as listed below:

Eric M. DiFrancesco
Osmund R. Fretz, III
Patrick J. Hermesmann
Thomas D. Jones
David P. Lucci
Bradley T. MacDonald
Keith E. Nadolski (Treasurer)
William L. Nyland (Chairman)
H. P. Osman (President & CEO)
Thomas P. O’Brien
Jerry D. Reece
Burke W. Whitman
Leo V. Williams, III (Vice Chairman)

MISSION: The mission of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to raise funds to provide toys to supplement the collections of local Toys for Tots coordinators; defray the costs of conducting annual Toys for Tots campaigns; provide administrative, advisory, financial, logistic and promotional support of local coordinators; manage funds raised and monies donated based on the use of the Toys for Tots name or logo; provide other support that the Marine Corps, as a federal agency, cannot provide; and conduct public education and information programs, which call the general public to action in support of Toys for Tots.

GOAL: The primary goal of the Foundation is the same as that of the overall Toys for Tots program: i.e. – to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the Foundation are the same as those of the overall Toys for Tots program: i.e. – to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to improving communities in the future.

ACTIVITIES: The Foundation engages in two categories of activities: Program Services and Support Services.

Program Services

Toy Distribution: This is the process of obtaining and delivering toys to local Toys for Tots coordinators and providing the support and assistance those coordinators need to conduct effective toy collection and distribution campaigns in their communities. Toys are a combination of those purchased by the Foundation and those donated by corporations. In 2007 the Foundation supplemented local campaigns with 4.6 million toys valued at $43.8 million.

Support of local coordinators: This involves arranging the creation, publication, manufacture and delivery of an array of promotion and support materials to local Toys for Tots coordinators, which for 2007 were valued at more than $700,000. It includes managing all financial matters for local coordinators as well as updating and publishing a manual for the conduct of local programs. Concisely stated, this activity encompasses providing a wide range of support to over 600 local Toys for Tots coordinators and their support groups. Today, there are over 20,000 Marines, Marine Corps League members, veteran Marines and volunteers involved in annual campaigns.

Education: The Foundation conducts an annual public information and education campaign. This activity is designed to give the general public a clear understanding of the benefits that accrue to individuals, communities and the nation from Toys for Tots. It increases visibility and name recognition and stimulates the general public to action in support of Toys for Tots. The campaign includes distributing a series of news releases, distributing TV and radio public service announcements, publishing newsletters, arranging media events and appearances, arranging for national corporations to incorporate information about Toys for Tots into their paid advertisements, conducting special events, maintaining a website and distributing educational material about Toys for Tots to the general public.

Support Services

Management and General Activities: This involves accomplishing the spectrum of business management activities necessary to make an organization efficient and effective and to ensure the program and the Foundation operate in compliance with IRS regulations, federal and state laws and charitable standards.

Fundraising: The Foundation pursues a range of fundraising projects each year. Projects include national corporate sponsors, a direct mail campaign, the Combined Federal Campaign, special events such as golf tournaments; and special projects such as affinity cards and internet donations.

PERFORMANCE & ACCOMLISHMENTS

Accredited charity by the BBB WiseGiving Alliance
Ranked in the “Philanthropy 400” every year since 2001
Ranked #66 in 2007 “Philanthropy 400”
Reader’s Digest, in November 2003 edition, named “America’s Best Charities” in 12 categories. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was named “Best Children’s Charity”
Awarded Charity Navigators’ Highest 4-Star Rating (2005-2007)
Unqualified opinions on Audited Financial Statements (1994-2007)
Average Program to Support Service Expense Ration (1994-2007): 96:4
Program to Support Service Expense Ration (2007): 97:3