Higgy Bears

What Higgy Bears does

Higgy Bears is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by scoliosis patient Lauren Higginson and converted to nonprofit status in 2019. The organization distributes free Mini Higgy Bears — stuffed animals available in either a brace or surgery version with rods — to children and teens ages 5-19 diagnosed with scoliosis, with parents covering a $10 shipping fee per bear. Since inception, the organization reports distributing more than 70,000 bears across 175 countries. Its mission centers on reducing the emotional isolation of pediatric scoliosis by giving each child a physical comfort companion that mirrors their own treatment journey.

The core products are physical merchandise (Mini Higgy Bears in brace and surgery versions, Higgy Magazine, branded stickers) and a portfolio of community programs: Higgy Friends (30+ volunteer-led local support groups in the US, Canada, and Australia), Higgy Con (an annual convention positioned as the world's largest scoliosis convention, now in its fourth year), Higgy Live (regional in-person meetups in markets like Pensacola and Michigan), and Higgy Camp at Camp Walden (an overnight camp for girls 8-18 launching Summer 2027). Technology footprint is intentionally minimal: a GoDaddy-hosted e-commerce storefront at higgybears.com handles bear requests, merchandise sales, and event ticketing, with payments processed via PayPal and Venmo and donations channeled through the BetterWorld platform for the Million Bear Challenge campaign. No proprietary platform, mobile app, or API exists.

Revenue is generated through a combination of charitable donations ($10 per bear to cover production costs), individual and bulk donor contributions, tiered corporate and nonprofit sponsorships (Diamond, Platinum, Silver), paid merchandise sales (retail bears available since August 1, 2025, plus stickers and magazine), and event ticket revenue ($35 per attendee for Higgy Live, $350 per person for Higgy Con). The organization operates with 1-10 employees, relying heavily on founder leadership and a volunteer distribution network. No audited financial statements or formal revenue disclosures are available.

Name

Higgy Bears

Legal name

Higgy Bears

Website

https://higgybears.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Higgy Bears is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free scoliosis-themed stuffed bears and community programs to children and teens with scoliosis, having distributed over 70,000 bears across 175 countries via local support groups, conventions, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Chronic Condition Support Services

SIC

Dolls & Stuffed Toys (3942)

akta.pro primary industry

Dolls, Plush & Action Figures Retail (CRALAFAD)

Keywords

• Scoliosis comfort bears
• Nonprofit support programs
• Pediatric medical companions
• Scoliosis community groups
• Awareness merchandise sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Kalamazoo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Higgy Bears operates primarily through charitable donations. Individual donors contribute $10 per Higgy Bear to cover production costs. The Million Bear Challenge campaign facilitates bulk donations. Corporate and nonprofit sponsors (Diamond, Platinum, Silver tiers) provide significant funding.
2. Merchandise Sales: Higgy Bears sells branded merchandise including bears (brace and surgery versions available for purchase), stickers, and the Higgy Magazine. Higgy Con event tickets are sold at $350 per person with fundraising options available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Higgy Bears provides free scoliosis-themed stuffed animals (Mini Higgy Bears in either a brace or surgery version) to children and teens with scoliosis worldwide, with parents covering only shipping costs. The organization complements these comfort companions with a portfolio of community programs including Higgy Friends local support groups, Higgy Live regional meetups, the annual Higgy Con convention, an upcoming Higgy Camp for girls 8-18, branded merchandise, and curated educational resources in partnership with Scolios-us and Spinal Technology.

Product overview

Higgy Bears is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of products and programs for children and teens with scoliosis. The core product is the Mini Higgy Bear—a stuffed animal available in brace or surgery versions with rods—that serves as a comfort companion representing each child's scoliosis journey. Physical merchandise includes Higgy Magazine and branded stickers. The organization operates community programs including Higgy Friends (over 30 local support groups), Higgy Live (local meetup events), Higgy Con (annual convention), and Higgy Camp (summer camp). Higgy Resources provides educational materials and connects families with partners like Spinal Technology, Scolios-us, and OrthoPediatrics. The Million Bear Challenge campaign aims to donate one million bears globally, having already distributed 70,000 bears across 175 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Higgy Con: The largest scoliosis convention in the world - a gathering for kids and teens with scoliosis featuring panels, encouragement, community, crafts, and the Higgy Con Green Fashion Show.
• Higgy Magazine
• Higgy Camp

Products and services

• Mini Higgy Bears (Brace & Surgery versions) Stuffed animal bears designed specifically for children and teens with scoliosis, available in either a scoliosis brace or surgery version with rods. Each bear serves as a comfort companion representing the child's own scoliosis journey.
• Higgy Magazine A magazine publication by Higgy Bears featuring content and recommended books for the scoliosis community.
• Higgy Bears Stickers Sticker products featuring Higgy Bears branding for scoliosis awareness.
• Higgy Con Annual convention described as the largest gathering of scoliosis patients in the world. Features panels, encouragement, community activities, crafts, and a green fashion show celebrating differences. Designed for kids and teens with scoliosis ages 5-19. Tickets sold at $350 per person.
• Higgy Live Local meetup events for kids and teens with scoliosis featuring crafts, games, and practical tips from fellow scoliosis warriors. Events hosted at venues like Dave & Buster's and community centers. Tickets priced at $35 per child/teen, with parents attending free without a game card.
• Higgy Friends Fun groups for kids and teens with scoliosis organized by local Higgy Families. Groups meet monthly with activities like ice cream outings, bowling, park visits, and craft-making. Over 30 groups exist across the US, Canada, and Australia.
• Higgy Camp Overnight camp specifically for girls ages 8-18 with scoliosis, hosted at Camp Walden. First edition launching Summer 2027.
• Million Bear Challenge Campaign to donate one million Higgy Bears to children worldwide. Currently at 70,000 bears donated across 175 countries. Operated as a donation campaign on the BetterWorld platform.
• Higgy Resources Educational support resources including a Scoliosis Support Guide PDF, links to Spinal Technology bracing information and brace design tools, scoliosis education materials, videos, and transfer patterns. Also links to Scolios-us mentorship program and The Empower Hour mental health sessions.
• Higgy Bear Brace Patterns PDF document featuring patterns available for Higgy Bear braces. Includes patterns for both soft and hard braces, with some patterns only available for soft braces.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70,000+ Higgy Bears donated to children in 175 countries
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Scolios-uscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScolios-us is a nonprofit that helps kids and teens with scoliosis through a mentor program, Empower Hour mental health sessions, workshops, bracing and surgery tips, and a podcast. Higgy Bears highly recommends Scolios-us resources and cross-promotes their programs.
• Spinal TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpinal Technology provides bracing information, brace design tools, transfer patterns, scoliosis education videos, and patient resources featured on Higgy Bears' resource page. They offer the Design Your Orthosis Tool for visualizing braces.
• OrthoPediatrics Specialty Bracing (OPSB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOPSB is a Higgy Bears sponsor that created the OPSB Family Resource Hub with helpful information for scoliosis families, featured as a resource on the Higgy Bears website.
• Million Bear Challenge (via BetterWorld)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Million Bear Challenge is an online donation campaign hosted on the BetterWorld platform that allows donors to contribute to get Higgy Bears to children with scoliosis worldwide.
• Camp WaldenminorOthersHiggy Camp is hosted at Camp Walden for girls ages 8-18 with scoliosis, coming Summer 2027. Registration opens and closes 12/31.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Large nonprofit providing lodging, meals, and support to families with sick children near hospitals. Comparable as a children's-health-focused nonprofit combining physical support products/programs with corporate sponsorship tiers and community events, though operating at much greater scale.
• American Girl: Iconic doll brand (Mattel) producing dolls, accessories, and content aimed at girls, including hospital/medical companion dolls. Comparable in producing mission-driven plush/doll products for children, particularly those facing medical experiences, though at vastly greater scale and broader market.
• Build-A-Bear Workshop: Publicly traded specialty retailer that designs and sells customizable stuffed animals, including cause-related and charity-themed bears. Comparable as a scaled plush-toy manufacturer/retailer with experience in cause-marketing partnerships, though much larger and broadly consumer-focused.
• Smiles for Kids Everywhere (via Starlight Children's Foundation): Large nonprofit delivering toys, games, and comfort items to hospitalized children, including condition-specific programs. Comparable as a scaled provider of comfort products and programs for children with serious medical conditions, with sponsorship tiers and corporate partner models similar to Higgy Bears.

Emerging players

• Stuffed Animal Rescue / IATP (International Association of Teddi-Bear People): Network of collectors and small organizations in the plush/stuffed animal community. Comparable as adjacent players in the specialty plush ecosystem, though not focused on medical-condition-specific bears or pediatric patient support.

Direct peers

• Binky Patrol: Nonprofit that distributes homemade and donated blankets and stuffed animals to children in hospitals, shelters, and crisis situations. Directly comparable as a small nonprofit distributing free comfort objects (including plush toys) to children in medical or emotional distress, supported by donations and volunteer networks.
• Curvy Girls: International peer-led scoliosis support nonprofit organizing local chapters for girls with scoliosis. Highly comparable to Higgy Bears in mission (emotional support, peer connection, sisterhood for scoliosis patients) and chapter-based community model, though without the stuffed-bear product component.
• Scolios-us: Nonprofit serving kids and teens with scoliosis through mentorship, Empower Hour mental health sessions, bracing and surgery tips, and a podcast. Higgy Bears is a strategic cross-promotion partner with Scolios-us, making them the most directly comparable peer in mission, audience, and community-support model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/claire.bear_cares
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/higgybears

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Higgy Bears