Mary Kay Ash's philosophy of giving led to the establishment of The Mary Kay Foundation in 1996. Today, the Foundation helps carry on Mary Kay's legacy with its unified mission to find a cure for cancers that affect women and to end domestic violence.
2010
Granted 150 domestic violence shelters $20,000 each – a total of $3 million
Awarded 13 respected doctors and medical scientists $100,000 each in cancer research grants – a total of $1.3 million
Donated $500,000 to CancerCare Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free professional help to people with cancer, for its Touching Hearts program
Contributed $300,000 to the National Network to End Domestic Violence with $200,000 earmarked to support the Amy's Courage Fund, which provides assistance to victims of domestic violence and their children.
$80,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation for Nature Explore Classrooms at five domestic violence shelters across the United States
Raised more than $117,724 in the Dallas and Northeast annual MK5K®
The Mary Kay Foundation launches its Facebook Fan Page.
2009
Mary Kay Ash featured in How To Be Like A Woman of Influence by Pat William, Michael Mink, and Ruth Williams.
The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation changes its name to The Mary Kay Foundation.
Mary Kay Inc. and The Mary Kay Foundation build their first five Nature Explore Classrooms in the United States.
2008
State of Nevada proclaimed April 10 as the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation Day.
Donated $300,000 to National Network to End Domestic Violence to translate the CD "Survivors Technology: A Safety Planning Tool," into Spanish.
The American Society of Breast Disease announced the Mary Kay Ash Advanced Training Program in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery.
Genesis Women's Shelter presented the 2008 Jane Doe Award to the Foundation for its work on behalf of battered women and children.
YWCA honored Mary Kay Ash at its 100 Women, 100 Years Centennial Gala on May 3.
2007
A Kiss for Country philanthropic program debuted and raised $10,000 for the Foundation.
Foundation granted the Safety Net Program of the National Network to End Domestic Violence $200,000 to produce and distribute the training CD, “Survivors Technology: An Interactive Safety Planning Tool.”
Foundation awarded $200,000 to the National Domestic Hotline for its Love is Respect program to raise awareness and champion zero tolerance of dating violence among teens.
2006
The Foundation underwrites the ¡No Más Silencio! campaign to help prevent domestic violence in the Hispanic population nationwide.
Foundation held its second annual 5K Fun Run and Walk, renaming the event the MK5K®.
2005
Foundation underwrote Breaking the Silence: Children’s Stories, a documentary that attracted more than 600,000 viewers in 44 states.
Mary Kay Ash was honored as a Texas Legend by Belo Corporation and Cadillac for her foresight in establishing the Foundation and its national work as well as her entrepreneurial genius that provides opportunities for women to achieve success.
Foundation held the first 5K Fun Run and Walk in Dallas to benefit the TMKF.
2004
Mary Kay Ash received the Humanitarian Rose Award at Kensington Palace in London for the work she inspired through the Foundation.
Foundation received the Community Service Award from the Good Shepherd Shelter in Los Angeles, Calif.
Lifetime Television’s Times Square Project honors the Foundation for its work to stop violence against women.
Since its debut on PBS in October 2001, Breaking the Silence, Journeys of Hope has aired more than 800 times in all 50 states, reaching nearly 100,000 households and 250,000 individuals. Foundation along with Mary Kay Inc. underwrote this documentary about violence against women in 2000.
2003
The Baylor Health Care System Foundation honored TMKF with the Circle of Care Award.
Foundation received the Ron J. Anderson, M.D. Healthcare Servant Leadership Award, which is given by the Alliance for Healthcare Excellence, an association of health industry leaders working to improve our nation’s health care system.
Foundation made initial grant of $500,000 to the Safety Net Project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, a project that teaches domestic violence victims to safely and strategically use technology to protect themselves and their families.
San Fernando Valley Child Abuse Council honored TMKF with the Distinguished Organization Award, which recognizes organizations that go above and beyond to eliminate domestic violence and child abuse.
And Stirred With Love Cookbook debuted featuring favorite recipes from Mary Kay Ash and Mary Kay Independent National Sales Directors from around the world. Proceeds benefit the Foundation.
2002
Foundation received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Los Angeles County Commission on Assaults Against Women.
The Family Prevention Fund presents the Foundation and Mary Kay Inc. with the first community service award named for Mary Kay Ash.
2001
Beloved Founder Mary Kay Ash died on Thanksgiving Day, her favorite holiday. She left a generous bequest of $15 million ($1 million per year for 15 years) to the Foundation.
Foundation launched in Canada and announced its support for the Look Good … Feel Better program, a nonprofit service for women cancer patients.
2000
During the national Call to Protect program, Mary Kay Inc. presented cellular phones, which were collected at Seminar 2000, to Congressman Pete Sessions for domestic violence victims.
Foundation embraced a second mission to prevent violence against women.
Mary Kay Independent National Sales Directors contributed their personal stories for the book – Paychecks of the Heart – in honor of Mary Kay Ash as a Foundation fundraiser.
1998
St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas dedicated its Mary Kay Ash Institute for Cancer Research in honor of her support.
Silver Wings introduced to the independent sales force as a symbol of the Foundation.
1997
First grants awarded to fund six innovative research programs targeting breast and ovarian cancers.