Who We Are

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.

What 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.

What We Do

"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.

Smiley Licensing

We encourage manufacturers to consider using our smiley logos on products and we encourage retailers to consider carrying those products. Our Foundation depends on smiley licensing for its support. Please direct all licensing inquiries to:Isao Takahashi, President, JASS International. In addition, we feature a number of smiley logo products for direct purchase from the Smiley Cafe.

World Smile Day® is Coming!

WSD09 Poster

This year, World Smile Day® will be celebrated around the globe on Friday, October 2nd. It will mark the eleventh consecutive year since its launch in 1999. Visit the World Smile Day® website (www.worldsmileday.com) for the latest information on how Smiley's hometown of Worcester, MA and the world will be marking the occassion.

Harvey Ball Award Winner Announced

The Worcester Historical Museum has announced that Mary C. (Streeter) DeFeudis will receive the Ninth Annual Harvey Ball Smile Award — and, we say, you would have to scour every nook in the city to find a more worthy choice.