Yes—We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, registered in the USA since 2011 (Tax ID: 452318910).

We send bears all over the world; however, shipping outside of the United States is expensive, and we require at least an $20 (USD) shipping/customs fee. Requests for free bears outside the United States will not be fulfilled.

We recommend giving them our info so they can request a free bear themselves. If you would still like to have a bear sent to them, we ask that a donation of $10 be made. This helps us continue providing free bears to families who request one for themselves.

When you gift a bear, it includes a special card letting the recipient know a bear was sent in their honor. If they reach out to us asking who sent it, we’re happy to share your name (unless you prefer to remain anonymous). The bear is shipped in a special envelope and is marked as "A Gift for You from Project BEAR" and still comes with a sympathy card.

If you’re not able to donate, you’re welcome to request a free bear in your own name and address so you can send or give it to your loved one, personally. 

At this time, our free bears are not customizable. We know every family’s story is unique, but to make sure we can support as many families as possible, we keep our process simple and consistent. 

Our plush Baby Loss and NICU Bears each include a name tag you can write on, and our Pouch Bears are shipped partially stuffed with an empty pouch, giving families the option to add keepsakes or weight their bear in the way that best supports their grief journey. 

While we aren’t able to offer full personalization yet, we do hope to in the future. In the meantime, we also offer a few customizable jewelry and keepsake options in our shop.

Because of how we process requests, we’re not able to give an exact estimate. Here’s how it works:

If you’ve submitted a free bear request: Please allow time for us to process your request. We send out Bear Confirmation Forms in the order requests are received. The time it takes to move through each batch determines when we’re able to send the next round of confirmation forms.

If you’ve received and submitted the Bear Confirmation Form: Your bear will be shipped out as soon as possible. You’ll receive tracking info via email from stamps.com once your bear is on the way.

If you donated to help cover the cost of your bear, your request receives priority status meaning it will typically ship within 1–2 weeks. Any paid order, regardless of amount, is processed faster than free requests. We ship as many bears as our budget allows, and when you cover shipping or purchase add-ons, your order is sent in advance of and in addition to our regular shipments.

No— You have various payment options to choose from once you click the PayPal button.

No— The PayPal information is all we need, but be sure to double check your address as that is where we will send the bear. If the address information is incorrect, fill out the form located below or email us [email protected] as soon as possible to avoid a delay in receiving your bear.

If you donated to send a bear to someone else, we will send the bear to the address you entered in our online store. There is no need to email us unless you need to make a correction to the recipient's name/address.

Yes—We send out confirmations for all form submissions. If you did not get one, check your spam folder. If you believe you entered a typo in the email address, you can update it below on the Change of Address Form.

A correct email address is required to get your bear. When we are preparing to ship your bear, you will receive a private link to complete our required Bear Confirmation form (this is when we will collect your shipping address and determine which bear best suits your needs). If we do not have your correct email address, we won't be able to email you the required form and you won't receive your bear!

If you realize your email or address is old, incorrect, or incomplete in PayPal or on your Bear Confirmation Form, fill out the Change of Address Form below as soon as possible. Be sure to fill out the form completely so we can easily find your request. If we have already shipped a bear to the wrong address, we will require a $6 fee for the extra shipping costs.

Hospitals and organizations can request bears directly through our Hospital Bears page, where you’ll find both the request form and instructions. To make sure we can maintain ongoing support and keep up with each hospital’s stock, requests must come from an employee affiliated with the hospital or organization.

If you are an employee of a hospital, clinical practice, or bereavement service you can simply fill out the request form to begin receiving bears. if you represent a related 501(3) non-profit organization or you do not have an employee email address, please fill out the Partner With Us form before requesting bears.

If you’re a patient, family member, or friend of someone connected with the hospital, the best way to help is by sharing our information with a hospital staff member so they can submit the request. This way, we’re able to partner directly with the hospital to provide free bears on a continuing basis.

Hospital and community partners should submit a new Hospital Request Form whenever their supply begins to run low. We typically ship boxes within 1-2 weeks, but please allow up to 1 month for processing.

To help us serve as many organizations as possible, we ask that you wait at least 2 months after receiving a shipment before placing another request.

At Project B.E.A.R., we ask a few optional questions about your experience to help us understand the unique journeys of the families we serve. These details are never required to receive a bear, but they help us:

● Honor your story with intention and care
● Improve how we support and advocate for grieving and medically fragile families
● Track patterns and needs so we can seek better funding, create new resources, and expand our outreach
● Make sure we’re offering the right type of bear to match the kind of support someone might need

There are many ways you can help us continue providing comfort to grieving families. Visit our Support Page to learn more.