After a fundraising and public relations disaster in 1993, the award-winning Marine Toys for Tots Foundation regrouped and came back stronger than ever.

By Melissa Busch

In 1947, the year it was founded, Toys for Tots collected and distributed 5,000 toys. By 2007, that number had grown to 16.7 million.

The organization has thrived — despite a major setback 15 years ago following a public relations and fundraising debacle — with a good, old-fashioned fundraising strategy that includes conservative budgeting, a strong brand, corporate partnerships and a killer direct-marketing campaign.