Billionaire Isaac Larian Launches GoFundMe Campaign to Save Toys “R” Us

Following the news that Toys “R” Us and its sister company Babies “R” Us was officially closing their doors, CEO of MGA Entertainment, Isaac Larian, has spearheaded a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe to raise $1 billion to help save the toy retailing giant.

The funds collected through this campaign would be used in the formulation of a bid to acquire some Toys“R” Us assets through the bankruptcy process. The campaign specifically states that this is not a charitable donation, and certain donor disclosures apply. It was also reported:

“Be advised that this is not a donation to a charitable cause, and there is no tax deduction available. It is a donation to a potential commercial venture. The funds raised would be added to other capital being gathered by the potential purchasers of some or all of Toys“R”Us.  A donation to this campaign doesn’t qualify you to claim equity in any potential acquisition; it simply means you want future generations to be Toys“R”Us kids. Therefore, before donating, please note that there is no guarantee that the offer to purchase Toys“R”Us described above will be made or accepted. You are donating “at your own risk.” If your donation is not used to achieve the purchase of Toys“R”Us in some form, it will be returned to you.”

Those who contribute to the initiative will receive the following rewards:

• $5-$49 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker
• $50-$99 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker AND #SaveToysRUs Special Edition Num NomsTM 1
• $100-$499 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, AND #SaveToysRUs Special Edition L.O.L. Surprise! TM 1
• $500-$999 pledge:  #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, AND customized #SaveToysRUs Special Edition Little Tikes® Cozy Coupe®.1
• $1,000-$4,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt AND Little Tikes® Build-a-HouseTM. 1
• $5,000-$9,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt, AND Little Tikes® Super Slam ‘n DunkTM. 1
• $10,000-$24,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys“R”Us reopening block party AND a Little Tikes® backyard makeover. 1, 2
• $25,000-$49,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys“R”Us reopening block party AND a tour of the Ohio Little Tikes® factory – the oldest toy factory currently operating in the U.S. – including travel and accommodations. 1,2
• $50,000-$74,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt, AND a personal block party for your friends and family including Little Tikes® products, food and all associated items. 1
• $75,000-$249,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys“R”Us reopening block party AND attendance at a special taping of “Unboxed!” series including travel and accommodations. 1, 2
• $250,000-$999,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys“R”Us reopening block party AND toys for 5 years from Toys”R”Us. 1, 2
• $1,000,000-$9,999,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys“R”Us reopening block party, AND a signed thank you letter from Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, and “I helped save Toys“R”Us” hero plaque at a Toys“R”Us location of your choosing. 1, 2
• $10,000,000+: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys“R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys“R”Us reopening block party, a signed thank you letter from Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, AND Kid CEO for the Day experience including a trip to a southern California theme park, travel and accommodations, and Toys“R”Us store dedication naming rights for location of your choosing and toys for life from Toys“R”Us. 1, 2

The deadline for reaching the $1 billion funding goal is May 28th (Memorial Day). Since its launch, the campaign has secured more than $200 million from nearly 1,400 donors.