Engage for Good Names Mattel 2026 Halo Corporation of the Year
Engage for Good named Mattel its 2026 Halo Corporation of the Year, recognizing the company’s work to build purpose into the way it operates across its brands, partnerships, and products.
The Halo Awards
In its 24th year, The Halo Awards recognize companies and nonprofit organizations that are defining the gold standard for what effective corporate–nonprofit partnerships look like in practice. This year’s recognition reflects a broader shift across the private sector: purpose is no longer judged by intent or visibility alone, but by its ability to drive outcomes for both communities and businesses.
Muneer Panjwani, CEO of Engage for Good, said: “Mattel represents the very best of what this award stands for. They have shown that purpose is not a campaign or a side initiative; it is a strategic force that can shape culture, drive business results, and create lasting impact. In doing so, they have set a new benchmark for what it looks like to lead in this space.”
Purpose across its portfolio
Mattel is being recognized for demonstrating how a global brand can integrate purpose across its portfolio, connecting product design, partnerships, and corporate strategy in ways that reinforce impact and business performance. They partner with nonprofit organizations including Save the Children, Feed the Children, Make-A-Wish, the American Red Cross, Baby2Baby, and the Salvation Army to create a positive, lasting social impact.
The legacy of giving back at Mattel spans its more than eight decades as a company. Through its Play it Forward initiatives, Mattel leverages its brands, partnerships, and people to advance children’s well-being, representation, and community responsibility globally. Mattel also manufactures the only toy in the world created and distributed exclusively as a donation – Brave Barbie and Brave Ken . To date, Mattel has placed over 180,000 dolls in the hands of children experiencing illness-related hair loss.
Rather than treating these efforts as standalone programs, Mattel aligns them with core business and brand priorities.
80 Moments for 80 Years campaign
Through its 80 Moments for 80 Years campaign – the centerpiece of the company’s 80th anniversary celebration in 2025 – Mattel held more than 150 purpose-driven initiatives, activating thousands of employees across 14 countries to strengthen partnerships at the local, regional, and global level and far exceeding their goal of 80 moments.
Nancy Molenda, Vice President of Global Corporate Events and Philanthropy at Mattel, said, “Through Play it Forward, we’re creating opportunities for our employees around the world to show up for their communities in meaningful ways. When we thought about celebrating 80 years, we wanted it to be more than celebrating nostalgia – it was about celebrating our purpose. It’s something we bring to life every day through our brands, our partnerships, and our people. Seeing our teams come together through volunteerism to help improve the lives of children is what makes this work so powerful.”
Mattel will participate in the Engage for Good 2026 Conference, where they will share how the company has evolved its work across purpose and partnerships. The conference will bring together more than 700 corporate and nonprofit leaders to explore the strategies, partnerships, and innovations shaping the future of social impact.
Source: https://corporate.mattel.com/news/engage-for-good-names-mattel-2026-halo-corporation-of-the-year