Marine Toys For Tots
Is This Your Business?3.4
3.4
Author: Kaitlyn Short
LAST UPDATED: January 8th, 2024
In 1947, Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR (United States Marine Corps Reserve) and Lieutenant Colonel John Hampton began to collect toys for those in need. It was after Hendricks' wife could not find a charity to donate a handmade Raggedy Ann doll to a child at Christmas. Mrs. Hendricks suggested that the USMCR begin a toy drive to connect donated toys with those in need. Their initial toy drive resulted in 5,000 toys being collected for underprivileged children. Toys for Tots was nationally launched in 1948 and has had momentous growth since. Currently, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is headquartered in Triangle, Virginia. In 2015, the Marine Toys for Tots program collected and distributed 18 million toys to 7 million children in 782 communities. Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program, in a partnership with The UPS Stores, raised over $319,000 and distributed over 3 million books to public schools and children in financially-depressed areas.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Financial information is accessible
- Inexpensive administrative expenses
- 97 percent revenue is spent on program delivery
Total Income
Whenever possible, the Review Team uses information which was reported to the Internal Revenue Service on Form 990. Many organizations do not publish past years of their IRS Form 990. Marine Toy for Tots Foundation has published several past years of this form online. As with most organizations, annual revenue and donations for Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is affected by economic fluctuations. Donations to the organization have varied year-by-year, but the general amount collected over the last four years, according to reported income on IRS Form 990 are reported as follows:- 2015: $268,663,846
- 2014: $276,619,072
- 2013: $238,112,361
- 2012: $249,036,694
Administrative Expenses
According to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation's 2015 Form 990, their CEO, H.P. Osman, has a reported annual salary of $270,500. The organization has a surprisingly low number of paid employees, with less that 20 reported on its 2015 IRS Form 990. Those working to implement the program are members of the United States Marine Corps Reserve and other volunteers. The total administrative expenses reported in 2015 is $4,288,004.Fundraising Expenses
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation reported fundraising expenses of $6,177,547 on its 2015 IRS Form 990. The fundraising budget was .02 percent of their total income for the year. Marine Toys for Tots benefits from the widespread familiarity of their organization by not having to dedicate significant resources toward public relations and fundraising. This percentage places the organization among the top tier of charities as far as the company's income-to-fundraising ratio.Program Percentage
The percentage of revenue which goes back into the program for Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is outstanding in comparison with many other organizations. For every dollar raised, 97 cents is used for program costs. As a reference point, watchdog Charity Watch considers an organization a Top Rated Charity if an organization uses 80 percent of its income to provide its service. Marine Toys for Tots is very effective in program delivery and fiscal responsibility.Accessible Financial Information
Marine Toys for Tots published their annual reports for the last two years, which at the writing of this review is 2014 and 2015. The organization also published their IRS Form 990 for 2012-2015. While not considerably significant, the organization's publication of annual reports for the same timeframe would improve their transparency.Awards
Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has been recognized for its outstanding fiscal responsibility and the above-average ratio of total annual revenue to program delivery. Many of these have been annual recognitions. Among Marine Toys for Tots' achievements which have been recognized are: 2002- Charity Navigator, an independent charity watchdog organization which rates charitable organizations on their financial transparency, program percentage, etc. awarded Marine Toys for Tots with four stars (out of four).
- Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked Marine Toys for Tots as Foundation #267 on their Philanthropy 400 list
- DMA Nonprofit Federation named Marine Toys for Tots "Outstanding Nonprofit Organization of the Year."
- Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked Marine Toys for Tots as Foundation #341 on their Philanthropy 400 list.
- Starburst ranked Marine Toys for Tots' website as #9 in its "Top 100 Toy Website."
- Readers Digest (November, 2003) named the organization as "America's Best Children's Charity."
- Forbes Magazine included Marine Toys for Tots on its "Gold Star List" of charitable organizations.
The Bad
- Negative press
- Donor communication issues
Negative Press
There is little/no reliable negative press stories about Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Two exceptions are a satirical piece as well as an op-ed written about the organization. The satire was published stating that Michelle Obama's support for Toys for Tots included the executive (i.e. Presidential) requirement that all gift packages delivered by Marine Toys for Tots include a copy of the Koran, which resulted in the resignation of the CEO of Toys for Tots. This story is false in that while Mrs. Obama did support the organization, there was no such Executive Order by President Obama, nor did the CEO resign. This story has taken many forms, one of which included the allegation that the organization did not accept donations of Jesus dolls from a Christian church (unnamed), stating that religious items could not be distributed. An op-ed piece about Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was published on December 22, 2010, by Open Media Boston, wherein the organization was criticized for their apparent hypocrisy in that members of the military routinely kill children during operations overseas, yet act as Santa at home. This piece was strictly opinion, and offensive to many members of the military and their families.Donor Communication
Online donors receive a receipt for their tax-deductible organization as well as newsletter announcements. Some report that the communications coming from Marine Toys for Tots in further years are excessive and irritating. This cannot be substantiated, but as the organization's fundraising budget is such a low percentage annually, this anecdotal evidence is questionable. Those who support Marine Toys for Tots by donating toys do not receive a tax-deductible receipt, but can claim the gift on their taxes. The Review Team does not give tax advice, and anyone with questions should consult their tax professional.The Bottom Line
Was this content helpful?
Yes
No
Ashlee Bell
This is the first year I had to apply for toys for tots for my 3 children and as a single mother going through a bankruptcy I really needed the help and I’ve never asked for this kind of help before. So I definitely was excited for my kids and had high expectations since it seems organized.
So I go to the drop off site and they were a bit behind which wasn’t a big deal besides it being cold.
But to my surprise when they finally got to my name I go up and grab the bad and signed the paper, when I got back to my car there were two items inside. Mind you I applied for 3 kids and it had 3 kids on the paper but two items? Not even a 3rd which would have been fine and enough but just 2 and before as I’m watching other parents come up grabbing full bags and thinking wow I’m so happy for them and their children. And I get mine….. I don’t want to sound greedy but I was by all means disappointed. I just want my kids to have a good Christmas. And I thought well maybe they will call my name again but thinking against it because the woman said once you get your bag you can get out of the cold and go home. And that’s what I did. I went home dreading what I’m going to do for Christmas.
1 year ago
LATISHA Anderson Pleasantville, NJ
I signed up toys for tots this year because I honestly need help getting my daughter a few things. On the web site it clearly said to age 14. I received a conformation email telling me the day and time to pick her toy up. So that Mon the 16th came I stood in the line outside early. It was freezing out. Because it's nj .I made it inside gave the lady my and my daughters info she said I couldn't get anything .because she's 13 I was so hurt I said she just turned 13 she said we only have donations for 12year olds.. I almost cried.
5 years ago
Ana Paramount, CA
This is my second time I have registered my daughter to receive toys. The first time she had a wonderful Christmas I had received a bag full of toys but this years I waited for more than an hour, had people cut in front just to receive 3 toys. A pet toy and the doll that is stain. I am disappointed .
2 years ago
