Bellevue, Wash. — August 23, 2023 — As the toy community approaches an exciting season, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) today announced its continued support for The Toy Foundation™ ahead of the highly anticipated Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards by signing on as a Vision Sponsor for the acclaimed event. The company also announced its third annual donation to the Foundation in support of its critical mission to deliver the extraordinary benefits of play to children in need, which aligns with TPCi’s overarching goal of improving the lives of children and supporting social equity. The donation will fold into The Pokémon Company International’s recent pledge to commit a minimum of $25 million USD to philanthropic organizations dedicated to said goals over the next five years, which includes The Toy Foundation as a long-term strategic partner.
Since announcing the initiative, The Pokémon Company International has dedicated $90,000 in unrestricted funds, and over $3.7 million worth of brand-new Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Center products (MSRP), in support of The Toy Foundation’s heroic efforts. Their programs have ultimately reached more than 925,000 children and families through a variety of strategic areas, including The Toy BankSM, Play Grants, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pipeline Program.
“The Pokémon Company International has a deep appreciation for the admirable work conducted by The Toy Foundation, and we’re honored to play a role in their efforts, specifically across social responsibility, DE&I, and delivering toys and games to children in need,” said Shasha Richardson, Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility at The Pokémon Company International. “A primary goal at TPCi is to make a positive impact in the lives of children and support social equity, and the strong partnership we’ve developed with The Toy Foundation is helping us all achieve those goals.”
For more than 25 years, the Pokémon brand has been delivering joy and entertainment to fans around the world through video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, animation, and more. During the annual Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards, The Pokémon Company International will celebrate its robust consumer product division – most notably, three key drivers from valued licensees including master toy partner, Jazwares and Mattel – which were just named top contenders across several categories. Nominees for 2023 include:
- Construction Toy of The Year: MEGA Pokémon Building Toy Kit, Forest Pokémon Center by Mattel
- Collectible Toy of The Year: Squishmallows x Pokémon Collection by Jazwares
- Action Figure Toy of The Year: Pokémon Train & Play Deluxe Pikachu by Jazwares
These nominations follow recent TOTY wins including License of the Year in 2022 for the Pokémon brand, and Game of the Year in 2020 and 2022 for products from the best-selling Pokémon Trading Card Game.
To see the full list of all organizations that are being supported by Pokémon’s five-year mission, visit The Pokémon Company International website here.
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About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.