The world of Dr. Seuss is one in which anything is possible. At the Dr. Seuss Foundation, we approach education and literacy with the same spirit. We fund programs that promote learning, foster imagination, and help expand opportunities for all.
Philosophy & Focus
The Dr. Seuss Foundation believes in the critical importance of early childhood education. Research shows that engaging young children in play-based learning, social-emotional development, and language development helps prepare them to be learners for life.
We take a special interest in literacy development from birth through kindergarten, as children’s brains are 90 percent developed by the age of five. During this period, parents are the primary teachers, helping kids learn through singing, reading, writing, and creating. The more we can support these experiential activities, the more confident learners we will create.
Importantly, literacy isn’t limited to language. The Dr. Seuss Foundation recognizes and invests in five interconnected forms of literacy. Our community initiatives cultivate everything from social development to mathematical reasoning to environmental awareness, often strengthening multiple types of literacy at the same time.
Values
The mission of the Dr. Seuss Foundation is to foster literacy in all its forms by financially supporting and partnering with organizations that share this goal. There are five core values that guide us in this mission.
History
1904 – 1921
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 2, 1904. He entered Dartmouth College in 1921, where he first adopted the “Seuss” pen name while writing for the college humor magazine, Jack-O-Lantern.
1922 - 1947
Ted received his B.A. degree in English from Dartmouth College in 1925 and married Helen Marion Palmer in 1927. In 1937, after numerous rejections, he published his first Dr. Seuss children’s book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, based on his childhood adventures in Springfield. Over the next decade, Ted wrote four more books, published hundreds of political cartoons, and co-wrote the Academy Award®–winning documentary, Design for Death.
studio in La Jolla, California, in the 1950s
1948 - 1967
In 1948, Ted and Helen moved to La Jolla, California, where both became active members of the community and served on several nonprofit boards. In 1951, Ted co-wrote the animated short, Gerald McBoing-Boing, his second Academy Award®–winning film. The Cat in the Hat was published to immediate acclaim in 1957, prompting Ted and Helen to create the Dr. Seuss Foundation. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and Green Eggs and Ham followed in quick succession.
1968 - 1983
Helen died in 1967, and Ted married Audrey Stone Dimond in 1968. Over the next 15 years, Dr. Seuss published dozens more books for children. During this period, Ted was honored with two Primetime Emmy® Awards, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, and a Peabody Broadcasting Award.
1984 – Present
In 1984, Ted Geisel received a Pulitzer Prize for his “special contribution over nearly half a century to the education and enjoyment of America’s children and their parents.” Theodor Seuss Geisel died on September 24, 1991. Two years later, Audrey Geisel founded Dr. Seuss Enterprises. In 1995, the University of California San Diego renamed its main library in honor of both Ted and Audrey.
1984
Dr. Seuss is awarded a Pulitzer Prize.
1993
Dr. Seuss Enterprises is formed to protect and promote the intellectual property of Dr. Seuss. All Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ profits benefit charitable organizations that focus on education, health, animal conservation, and the arts.
Present
To date, the Dr. Seuss Foundation has gifted more than $300 million to
charitable causes.
Geisel Fact Sheet
- Born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts
- Received a B.A. in English from Dartmouth College in 1925
- Married Helen Marion Palmer in 1927
- Published his first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, in 1937
- Co-wrote two Academy Award-winning films: the documentary Design for Death (1947) and the animated short Gerald McBoing-Boing (1951)
- Co-founded Beginner Books with Helen Palmer in 1958
- Formed the Dr. Seuss Foundation in 1958
- Received two Emmys (1978-1982)
- Married Audrey S. Dimond in 1968
- Received a Pulitzer Prize in 1984
- Died on September 24, 1991 (age 87) in La Jolla, California
- Born Helen Marion Palmer on September 16, 1898,
in New York City - Received a B.A. from Wellesley College in 1920 and an M.A. from Oxford University in 1926
- Married Theodor (Ted) Seuss Geisel in 1927
- Published her first book, Walt Disney's Surprise Package, in 1944
- Co-founded Beginner Books with Ted Geisel in 1958
- Published her final book, Why I Built the Boogle House, in 1964
- Died on October 23, 1967 (age 69) in La Jolla, California
- Born Audrey Stone on August 14, 1921, in Chicago, Illinois
- Received a B.S. in Nursing from Indiana University in 1944
- Married E. Grey Dimond, M.D. in 1945
- Married Theodor (Ted) Seuss Geisel in 1968
- Founded Dr. Seuss Enterprises in 1993
- Died on December 19, 2018 (age 97) in La Jolla, California
Board
Brian E. C. Schottlaender
President President Brian Schottlaender is a Founding Principal of re:work library consulting. From 1999 to 2017, he led the UC San Diego Library as the Audrey S. Geisel University Librarian. Brian is also the Chair of the Geisel-Seuss Enterprises Board of Directors
Ted Owens
Vice President Vice President Ted Owens is a designer and filmmaker. His company, Syncronos Design, promotes sustainable technology design and is currently directing a feature-length animated film on environmental issues. Ted is also on the board of Geisel-Seuss Enterprises.
Satomi Saito
Treasurer Satomi Saito serves as Treasurer of the Dr. Seuss Foundation. She previously worked as Senior Financial Analyst for the California Digital Library and has held various finance roles at educational institutions including the UC San Diego Library and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Lucia Wiechers Garay
Trustee
Jay Hill
Trustee Jay Hill serves as a Trustee of the Dr. Seuss Foundation. He was also the first Executive Director of the Foundation, serving from 2020-2025 and served as the Executive Director of Gay Games IV, a worldwide sports and cultural event fostering health, empathy, and community.
Claudia Prescott
President Emerita A longtime associate of the Geisel family, Claudia Prescott serves as President Emerita of the Dr. Seuss Foundation. Her philanthropic endeavors have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the 2020 Vista Hill “In My Backyard” (IMBY) Award.Staff
Katie Rast
Chief Executive Officer As CEO, Katie Rast leads the Dr. Seuss Foundation in advancing its mission. In collaboration with the Board of Trustees, her responsibilities include the development of strategic priorities, overseeing program implementation, and ensuring the Foundation’s resources effectively support long-term impact. Katie brings experience in community impact, innovation, and nonprofit leadership, ensuring that the Foundation's initiatives continue to thrive.
Briea Emory
Program Manager Briea Emory is the Program Manager for the Dr. Seuss Foundation. She brings 10 years of administrative experience to her role overseeing the grantmaking operations of the Foundation, providing executive support to the staff and Board, and collaborating with community partners.Grantseekers
Apply By February 20
One Application.
Two Grant Opportunities.
The Dr. Seuss Foundation and San Diego Foundation are now accepting applications from eligible nonprofit organizations to be considered for either a Bright Futures grant, a Ready to Learn grant, or both.
- Bright Futures Grant (Dr. Seuss Foundation) Supports early literacy, school readiness, and social-emotional development for children up to age 8. Funding may support playful learning, early grade literacy, experiential activities, collaboration, and capacity-building efforts for organizations and early learning networks.
- Ready to Learn Grant (Dr. Seuss Foundation and San Diego Foundation) Supports early literacy and learning programs for children up to age 5. Funding focuses on expanding access to high-quality early learning experiences, strengthening the early education workforce, and engaging families as active partners in their child’s development.
Common Application Details
A single application allows organizations to be considered for either or both of the grant opportunities.
This common application approach is designed to decrease administrative burden for local nonprofits while expanding access to funding opportunities for organizations serving children and families across San Diego County.
Detailed information about this opportunity, including grant goals, objectives and FAQ’s, can be found in the Grant Guidelines.
- Eligible applicants: 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving San Diego County
- Funding available: Up to $2 million total
- Max grant amount: $60,000
- Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PDT
Grant Guidelines
Apply Now
Financials
The Dr. Seuss Foundation is committed to transparency. An independent, professional accounting firm audits our financial statements annually.
Federal Tax Returns
Contact Us
If you’re seeking a grant from the Dr. Seuss Foundation, please read through our FAQs as well as the eligibility and application requirements outlined on this page. If you have questions that aren’t answered on this site, feel free to contact us using the form below. For inquiries about Dr. Seuss entertainment, partnerships, or product licensing, please visit Dr. Seuss Enterprises.