The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports many causes important to the Guests of Build-A-Bear Workshop^®.

Grants are made to public charities in the United States and Canada for specific programs with measurable outcomes that support children's health and wellness, domestic pets, and literacy and education. 

Children’s Health & Wellness

Champ – A Champion Fur Kids grants for children’s health and wellness are awarded twice each year.  The grant request deadlines are at the end of February and the end of August.  The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation desires 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.

Click here for details on Nikki's Legacy, the inspiration behind these efforts.

Click here for an online application.

Click here for specific guidelines for our Champ grants.

Click here for a list of 2007 Champ Grant recipients.

Domestic Pets

Bearemy's Kennel Pals^® grants to support domestic pets are awarded four times a year.  The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation desires 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.  The grant cycle deadlines are quarterly:  the end of March, the end of June, the end of August, and the end of December.

Click here for an online application.

Click here for specific guidelines for our Bearemy's Kennel Pals grants.

Click here for a list of 2007 domestic pet grant recipients.

Literacy and Education

Literacy and education grants to help children are awarded twice a year.  We desire to provide 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. The grant request deadlines are at the end of February and the end of August.

Click here for an online application.

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

Click here for a list of 2007 literacy and education grant recipients.

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

If you are seeking unrestricted support for children, families and animals, or seeking support for wild animals and the environment, or a private foundation, you are encouraged to apply for a grant through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation.

For more information about our grant program, e-mail giving@buildabear.com