Bear Givers

What Bear Givers does

Bear Givers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York that operates charitable programs centered on teddy bear donations to children and vulnerable populations worldwide. Founded in 2003 by Joseph Sprung as Bears 4 Kids and renamed Bear Givers in 2009, the organization runs a portfolio of six core programs: Hospital Visits, Empowerment Program, EmpowerArt, Teddy Bear Clinics, Leading with Kindness, and Milestone Celebrations. These programs serve children in hospitals, children with disabilities, students in schools, senior citizens, families in shelters, military personnel, Holocaust survivors, and asylum seekers, with the distinguishing feature being a dual-mission model in which beneficiaries — particularly children with disabilities — are positioned as givers rather than solely as recipients of aid.

The organization operates a donation-based revenue model with three primary streams: individual donations, corporate sponsorships (including Morgan Stanley, Koch Industries, and Hain Celestial), and foundation grants (including the Ellie Ruby Foundation). Pricing is voluntary and not tier-based; corporate sponsors work directly with the Executive Director on customized packages. Distribution occurs through a network of 100+ partnerships with hospitals, schools, and charitable organizations across North America, Europe, and Israel, supported by a BG Ambassador volunteer program that enables youth groups to run grassroots fundraising events. Cumulative impact metrics include 519,230+ teddy bears donated, 500+ charity events sponsored, 200+ art shows conducted, and 100+ school visits, though no financial metrics are publicly disclosed.

Underlying infrastructure is intentionally low-tech: the organization's website runs on Squarespace, online donations are processed through Stripe, and there is no proprietary technology platform or digital product layer. The competitive position rests on a 23-year brand, celebrity involvement in fundraising events, long-tenured institutional partnerships, and an embedded volunteer and ambassador network rather than on any technological differentiation. Revenue is generated entirely through charitable giving, and the organization is governed as an independent nonprofit under New York law with a volunteer Board of Directors.

Name

Bear Givers

Legal name

Bear Givers, Inc.

Website

https://beargivers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bear Givers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes teddy bears and runs charitable programs serving hospitalized children, children with disabilities, schools, seniors, and other vulnerable populations across North America, Europe, and Israel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Charitable Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Client Gifting Programs (HSACANAE)

Keywords

• Teddy bear donations
• Charitable giving programs
• Pediatric comfort programs
• Youth empowerment services
• Community outreach programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to bring teddy bears and comfort to children in hospitals, schools, and other facilities.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with businesses (Morgan Stanley, Koch Industries, Hain Celestial, and others) who sponsor specific programs including Empowerment, Leading with Kindness, EmpowerArt, Hospital Visits, and Teddy Bear Clinics. Sponsors receive marketing and press opportunities, brand awareness, team building activities, and community engagement.
3. Foundation Grants: Support from charitable foundations including Ellie Ruby Foundation and others for specific program initiatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bear Givers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes teddy bears and runs charitable programs for children in hospitals, children with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. It operates six named programs (Hospital Visits, Empowerment Program, EmpowerArt, Teddy Bear Clinics, Leading with Kindness, and Milestone Celebrations) that combine direct comfort-giving with experiences that allow children to give to others.

Product overview

Bear Givers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to bringing joy to children in need through a portfolio of programs centered around teddy bear donations and giving initiatives. The core product portfolio includes Hospital Visits (distributing teddy bears to children in hospitals), the Empowerment Program (enabling children with disabilities to give bears to others), the EmpowerArt Program (organizing art shows for children to showcase and sell artwork), Teddy Bear Clinics (helping children understand medical procedures), Leading with Kindness (school-based charitable programs), and Milestone Celebrations (marking life events through giving). These programs work together to fulfill Bear Givers' mission of empowering children through acts of kindness and bringing comfort through teddy bear gifts worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hospital Visits Program In-person visits to hospitals worldwide during which Bear Givers representatives, often accompanied by celebrities or special guests, personally deliver teddy bears to children undergoing medical treatment. The program has reached hundreds of hospitals across North America, Europe, and Israel.
• Empowerment Program Program that enables children with disabilities to experience the pride of giving by receiving teddy bears to keep and additional bears to donate to chosen causes. Bears are either personally delivered by children or shipped, with the program conducted through 100+ school visits to date.
• EmpowerArt Program Curated art shows at schools and hospitals where children with disabilities or in hospitals create artwork that is then displayed and sold at exhibitions, with proceeds going to their school, hospital, or organization. Over 200 shows have been conducted and celebrities including David Beckham, Martha Stewart, and Jamie Lee Curtis have contributed artwork.
• Teddy Bear Clinics Pediatric program in which young patients watch hospital procedures performed safely on their teddy bears before undergoing the same procedures themselves, helping reduce fear and anxiety. Hosted at partner hospitals such as Palm Beach Children's Hospital, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baystate Children's Hospital, and Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
• Leading with Kindness School-based initiative partnering with public schools that enables students to perform charitable acts, decorate teddy bears, and vote on where to donate them to those experiencing hardship. Active with schools such as MS Wagner 167, where students deliver bears to children with disabilities, cancer patients, asylum seekers, and Holocaust Survivors.
• Milestone Celebrations Programs tailored for Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation, Sweet Sixteen, and other milestone celebrations, allowing young people to mark the occasion by participating in teddy bear donations and giving back through Bear Givers' programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 519,230 teddy bears donated to children in need
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers31 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• Ellie Ruby FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in teddy bear donations to Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. Bears were decorated by local schoolchildren in the US and shipped with letters of hope to young patients.
• SINAI SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirector of Development Pam Ennis coordinated teddy bear donations to hospitals throughout Israel in memory of a former student. SINAI Schools is a key educational partner.
• Alyn HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPediatric rehabilitation center in Jerusalem that received teddy bear donations through Bear Givers' partnership with SINAI Schools and Lynn Finson.
• Shaare Zedek Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital in Jerusalem that received teddy bear donations - at least 50 bears delivered through partnership with Ellie Ruby Foundation.
• Jack and Jill of America, Inc. - Alexandria-Mt. Vernon ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharter member organization partnered with Bear Givers for Leading With Kindness Project, decorating teddy bears for INOVA Children's Hospital.
• Friendship Circle of BrooklyncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongtime partner organization for children with special needs. Hosts annual Art of Friendship Art Show and other Empowerment Program events.
• The Help GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe largest nonprofit of its kind in the US for children with autism and special needs. Bear Givers has sponsored Festival of Arts for multiple years.
• Mending KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides life-changing surgical care to children worldwide. Bear Givers provides teddy bears that have traveled to Peru, El Salvador, Haiti, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Guatemala, and other locations.
• Candlelighters NYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization helping children fighting cancer since 2007. Bear Givers delivers teddy bears with encouraging messages from Wagner MS167 students.
• Camp KesemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer camp for children affected by a parent's cancer. Received teddy bear donations from Bear Givers.
• JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeddy Bear Clinic partnerships in CT and MA for children with diabetes.
• United HatzalahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsraeli emergency medical service. Each ambucycle carries a Bear Givers teddy bear to be given to any child in distress.
• Valley Chabad Friendship CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriendship Circle branch that has given teddy bears to veterans and conducted Chanukah celebrations with Bear Givers.
• Chai LifelineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit addressing emotional, social, and financial needs of seriously ill children. Founder Joe Sprung is also Past President of Chai Lifeline's Executive Committee.
• Palm Beach Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongtime partner hosting Teddy Bear Clinics and holiday events. One of Bear Givers' most active hospital partners.
• Harbor-UCLA Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild Life Program that has received multiple teddy bear donations and hosted Teddy Bear Clinics.
• Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided Child Life Specialist for Teddy Bear Clinic in Chicago, ensuring age-appropriate demonstrations.
• Beacon TherapeuticminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago organization serving troubled and high-risk students. Hosts annual Deep in My Art show with proceeds benefiting the organization.
• Jill's HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides respite for children with intellectual disabilities in Greater Washington, DC area. Wonderfully Made Art Show sponsored by Richard and Mary Fink Family Foundation and Koch Industries.
• Kool Kids PassaicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization for children with special needs that hosts annual art shows with Bear Givers EmpowerArt program.
• UCAN (Chicago)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep in My Art annual art show featuring artwork by youth with special needs.
• Camp ErinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBereavement camp for children who have experienced loss. Received teddy bear donations from Bear Givers.
• Any Baby CanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily support services in Austin, TX receiving teddy bear donations.
• Ohel Children's Home and Family ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklyn, NY organization receiving teddy bear donations.
• Life's WORCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarden City, NY organization. Karaoke Cocktail Party benefit hosted with Bear Givers support.
• YachadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York organization serving individuals with disabilities.
• Pennsylvania Center for Adapted SportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhiladelphia organization with ski program receiving Bear Givers teddy bears.
• Beit T'ShuvahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles organization receiving teddy bear donations.
• St. Coletta of Greater WashingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington, D.C. organization for children with special needs.
• Foundation Fighting BlindnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaltimore, MD organization. Bear Givers participated in 17th Annual VisionWalk.
• Barzilai Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAshkelon, Israel hospital receiving teddy bear donations.
• Ha'Emek HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfula, Israel hospital.
• Meir Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKfar Sabba, Israel hospital.
• Hadassah Ein KerenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJerusalem, Israel hospital.
• Schneider's Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsrael hospital.
• Geha Mental Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPetah Tikvah, Israel mental health center.
• Beit Issie ShapirominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRa'anana, Israel school.
• Various Celebrities (David Beckham, Martha Stewart, Jamie Lee Curtis, etc.)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelebrities create artwork for EmpowerArt shows alongside children's artwork. Includes David Beckham, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Yoko Ono, Jamie Lee Curtis, Martha Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Conan O'Brien, Hoda Kotb, and many others.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (SAFE): Volunteer-run nonprofit collecting and distributing stuffed animals to children in crisis, including hospitals and emergency situations. Closely comparable to Bear Givers in product category (stuffed toy donations to children in distress) and volunteer-driven distribution model.
• Camp Kesem: Nonprofit running summer camps for children affected by a parent's cancer. Listed as a Bear Givers partner recipient; comparable peer in supporting children coping with serious illness through experiential, comfort-oriented programming.
• Project Night Night: Nonprofit providing comfort items (including stuffed animals) to homeless and sheltered children. Comparable peer in distributing comfort objects to vulnerable children, with overlapping corporate-sponsorship-driven revenue model.
• Build-A-Bear Foundation: The charitable arm of Build-A-Bear Workshop, focused on teddy bear and stuffed animal donations to children in need, including hospitalized and at-risk kids. Direct product-category peer to Bear Givers, with overlapping mission of distributing teddy bears for comfort to children.
• The Help Group: One of the largest US nonprofits serving children with autism and special needs. VP Barbara Firestone is Founder/CEO Emerita. Bear Givers sponsors its Festival of Arts featuring 180 young artists with special needs annually.
• JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation): Major voluntary health organization supporting children with Type 1 diabetes. Bear Givers operates Teddy Bear Clinic partnerships with JDRF in CT and MA, making them a peer in pediatric health programming and donor base competition.
• Mending Kids: Nonprofit providing life-changing surgical care to children worldwide, with whom Bear Givers has a core partnership routing teddy bears to Peru, El Salvador, Haiti, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Guatemala. Comparable mission of pediatric welfare and overlapping beneficiary population.
• Friendship Circle: Network of nonprofit chapters supporting children with special needs. Bear Givers' Brooklyn and Philly chapters are longtime EmpowerArt partners; highly comparable in mission around children with disabilities and volunteer-driven program model.
• Chai Lifeline: Nonprofit addressing the emotional, social, and financial needs of seriously ill children and their families. Highly comparable because Bear Givers' Founder Joseph Sprung is also Past President and current Chairman of the Executive Committee of Chai Lifeline, and both organizations serve hospitalized/ill Jewish children with comfort-oriented programs.

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: Large, established nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Comparable in mission of bringing joy/comfort to seriously ill children, and competing for the same corporate sponsors, individual donors, and hospital partnership mindshare, though at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/beargivers
• Facebookfacebook.com/BearGivers

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bear Givers