Our Mission
The Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was established in 2001 to honor the name and memory of Harvey Ball, the artist who in 1963 created that international symbol of goodwill, the smiley face. Harvey Ball believed that each one of us has the ability to make a positive difference in this world and he lived according to that belief. He knew that any effort to improve the world, no matter how small, was worthwhile. And he understood the power of a smile and a kind act. In furtherance of that philosophy the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation focuses on small, grass-roots charitable efforts that otherwise receive little attention or funding.
Who We Are
The Foundation is a non-profit organization. It is a Massachusetts Charitable Trust established in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Internal Revenue Service Code Section 501 (c) (3). The Foundation’s headquarters are in Massachusetts. At present, we have a branch in Tokyo as well.
Our Funding
At present, the Foundation receives its funding from individual donations and from smiley licensing. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible and the Foundation will furnish contributors with documentation for tax purposes acknowledging their contributions. Contributions may be made by checks made payable to the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation and mailed to:
Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation
PO Box 171
22 Front Street
Worcester, MA 01614
We encourage manufacturers to consider using our smiley logos on products and we encourage retailers to consider carrying those products. In addition, we feature a number of smiley logo products for direct purchase from the Smiley Cafe.
In 1999, Harvey Ball formed the World Smile Corporation to pursue smiley face licensing opportunities. He declined to receive any sort of compensation from that business effort and determined instead that all after-tax profits would be given to charities. The Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation is now the vehicle that channels those after-tax profits to various charities.
What We Do
In order to further the goals of the Foundation we have recruited hundreds of Honorary Smile Ambassadors across North America, Asia, Europe and Africa during the past three years. Many are luminaries in the fields of government, education, sports and entertainment. Actors Jackie Chan and Brooke Shields, Comedian Jerry Lewis, Prince Albert II of Monaco, golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, singer Phil Collins and Jimmy Buffet, racers Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Darrell Waltrip, international personalities Heather Mills McCartney and Yoko Ono, Dr. Patch Adams, Dr.Sergei Kruschchev, Winnie Mandela and a number of US Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen have all agreed to serve as Honorary Smile Ambassadors, just to name a few. With their help, we will spread good cheer and good works throughout the world.
Our Foundation is now the major sponsor of World Smile Day® each year. In 1999, Harvey Ball declared the first Friday in October each year to be World Smile Day®. He believed that we could and should devote at least one day each year to smiles and kind acts. Thus, the theme for the day is Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile. Every year on World Smile Day®, the Foundation sponsors some activity in Worcester, MA to focus on the day. For more information on World Smile Day® click here to visit www.worldsmileday.com.
Locally, we are proud to assist and support the Nativity School of Worcester, Bancroft School Worcester Partnership Program and Girls, Inc. of Worcester.
