Our History

Festival of Children Foundation was formed in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to bring together a national community of child service organizations of all shapes and sizes to collaborate, access resources, share knowledge, focus their efforts and, ultimately, to roll up their sleeves and work together to improve the lives of children and families.

Committed funding covers 100% of Festival of Children Foundation’s administrative expenses, so every dollar raised can go directly towards offering innovative programs that provide the free professional training, awareness raising and financial support that charities need to thrive.

Dreaming Through the Years

September 2002
April 2003
March 2004
November 2005
September 2007
November 2007
September 2008
March 2008
September 2009
December 2011
June 2012
August 2012
September 2012
November 2013
April 2014
August 2014
November 2015
September 2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Festival of Children® debuts at South Coast Plaza
Festival of Children Foundation established
Festival of Children Foundation reaches a network of 100 member charities
Olivia Newton John Benefit Concert for Festival of Children Foundation
National expansion of Festival of Children® in North Carolina
The Possible Dream™ launched in collaboration with The Orange County Register and grants $200,000 to 10 local charities
The United States Senate designates September 2008 as National Child Awareness Month
First Carousel of Possible Dreams at South Coast Plaza which granted $80,000 to 10 charities
The Carousel of Possible Dreams expansion to New York City benefiting the Easter Seals Bronx Child Development Center
First Sharing the Spirit Holiday Party with Miley Cyrus for over 500 homeless kids
Expanded network of member charities to all 50 states
The Carousel of Possible Dreams expansion to Chicago which granted $250,000 to charities within the Chicagoland area
National Child Awareness Month Youth Ambassador Program launched in Washington, DC with youth ambassadors from every state
The Carousel of Possible Dreams expansion to Disneyland which granted over $200,000 to 10 charities
Festival of Children Foundation and Team Kids collect over 10,000 letters to deployed troops for Global Youth Service Day.
Over $1 million granted out to our network of member charities
Presented Fundraising Panel with The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at University of Southern California
15th Festival of Children® at South Coast Plaza
10th consecutive year of National Child Awareness Month
Festival of Children Foundation celebrates its 15th anniversary. Festival of Children Foundation expands The Carousel of Possible Dreams fundraiser to San Francisco – supporting 32 rare disease charities from around the country
Fundraising dinner in Washington DC featuring celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio with special guest Ryan Kerrigan benefitting No Kid Hungry
Festival of Children Foundation launched “Let’s Pony Up for the Kids” – a national fundraising campaign to support charities that suffered negative economic impact during the COVID-19 pandemic
20th Festival of Children® at South Coast Plaza gave 70 children’s charities a free opportunity to educate the community about the important work they are doing, conduct donor outreach, recruit volunteers and seek collaborative opportunities with likeminded organizations and individuals.