The Little Bear Foundation

The Little Bear Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting families as they navigate the emotional challenges of having a premature baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Founded by a family whose first child was born three months early, the organization grew from their own experience of long days in the hospital and the comfort a small teddy bear brought to their son. Its mission is to help ensure that no family faces the NICU journey alone.

The foundation provides NICU survival kits filled with comfort items for families spending extended time at the hospital, and shares preemie stories that can encourage and connect families. Visitors can request a kit, submit their own story, donate, or follow Little Bear’s journey through a community map. The Little Bear Store offers merchandise, with proceeds supporting the foundation’s work. Businesses and municipalities can contribute through corporate sponsorships, community fundraisers and kit-assembly drives, or in-kind donations. The organization also offers resources and information through its blog and FAQ.