Sega Foundation

A charitable foundation established by Sega of America in April 1992 to encompass the company's philanthropic efforts. Inspired by CEO Tom Kalinske's earlier work with the Mattel Children's Foundation, it was headed by Trizia Hill Magagnini and headquartered at Sega's Redwood Shores offices, and served to direct funds toward issues affecting children in underserved communities. Its operations were directly overseen by Magagnini herself, who crafted multiple charitable programs to help support health and welfare in underserved communities. Under Magagnini's leadership, the Foundation allocated a portion of Sega of America's operating budget toward grants, scholarships, after-school programs, and community initiatives. The organization became one of the earliest corporate backers of pediatric AIDS awareness in the United States, sponsoring the inaugural KIIS and Unite benefit concert and partnering with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation at a time when corporate involvement in AIDS-related causes was rare and often discouraged. It also funded innovative medical projects like the KidSTAT Plus pediatric emergency care tool and the Children's Health Fund mobile medical unit program, and frequently collaborated with celebrities for fundraising efforts, resulting in one of the earliest and most effective charitable initiatives in the video game industry.