Life is good®
gift certificates email sign up find a store customer service my account
shopping bag:
No items

MISSION:  
The Life is good Kids Foundation helps kids overcome life-threatening challenges such as violence, illness and extreme poverty. Our Playmakers Initiative provides training, resources and support to the adults dedicated to caring for these children so that all involved lead healthier, more joyful lives.

HISTORY:  
The Life is good Kids Foundation has been a fully accredited 501(c)3 public charity since 2006. Its mission on behalf of children is a vital part of The Life is good Company's global mission to spread the power of optimism. The establishment of the Kids Foundation is rooted in the history of charitable fundraising conducted by The Life is good Company.

The watershed moment in the company's fundraising occurred following the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The public's overwhelming response to a specially-designed American flag t-shirt enabled the company to make a $207,000 donation to the United Way on behalf of families whose loved ones were victims of the terrorist attacks. That experience enabled Life is good to see more clearly the opportunity to have a sustained, positive impact through charitable giving.

Good, old-fashioned outdoor festivals seemed just the right vehicle for rallying good people around a great cause. Life is good held its first fundraising festival in Portland, Maine in October, 2003. Thousands enjoyed the day, and over $52,000 was raised for nearby Camp Sunshine a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Many more festivals followed in cities and communities across the country, with all funds raised donated to selected children's charities. To most effectively manage and direct growing donations and public goodwill, the company established the Life is good Kids Foundation in 2006.

LIFE IS GOOD PLAYMAKERS:  
Every year from 2004-2009 a Life is good Festival was held to benefit Project Joy, a unique and innovative grassroots nonprofit. Project Joy had been addressing early childhood trauma through the healing power of play for over twenty years, building a community of committed Playmakers — frontline child care professionals dedicated to the healthy development of children in need. The more Life is good experienced this nonprofit's transformative impact on the lives of children, the more it became wholeheartedly committed to advancing Project Joy's work.

This growing commitment led the Life is good Kids Foundation and Project Joy to join forces in early 2010. Project Joy is now the active service arm of the Life is good Kids Foundation. Under the new name Life is good Playmakers, it carries out our mission of helping kids overcome life-threatening challenges such as violence, illness and extreme poverty.
Learn more about Life is good Playmakers.

FUNDING SOURCES:  
The Life is good Kids Foundation receives funding from numerous sources. As a public charity, it relies on the generosity of individuals all across the country.
You can make a tax-deductible donation here.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING COMES FROM THE FOLLOWING SOURCES:  
  • 100% of The Life is good Company's profits from the sales of fundraising products are donated to the Life is good Kids Foundation.
    Shop fundraising products.
  • 100% of The Life is good Company's profits from company-run Festivals and 100% of public donations collected at these festivals are directed to the Life is good Kids Foundation.
    Learn more about Life is good Festivals.
  • 100% of speaking fees received by Life is good co-founders Bert and John Jacobs and by Life is good Playmakers founder Steve Gross in presentations given nationwide are donated to the Life is good Kids Foundation.
  • Grants from other Foundations and agencies. These grants enable Life is good Playmakers to train and support targeted groups and organizations whose staff are working primarily and directly with preschool-age children, many of whom have been exposed to early childhood trauma.