Mattie & Mama Peace Birthday Campaign

Wow! Mattie would be 35 on July 17, Mama Peace will be 66 on July 25, and our Foundation is celebrating 20 years of programs and activities that help youth and adults understand and choose peace!

Our annual “Mattie & Mama Peace Birthday Campaign” is a critical part of our development – securing funding to continue our work. Your support is the gift we need to create new resources, provide ongoing mentorship, and facilitate meaningful programs and conversations and events that amplify peace, purpose, and play.

Technology, social media, and our global issues have changed since this Foundation was created. What has not changed are interruptions to peace, and the need for – and impact of – Mattie’s timeless wisdom and guidance in this world.  

Like many organizations and individuals, Mattie’s Peace Foundation is working hard to balance the budget in an economically challenging time. We are encouraging you – as an individual  or in a group – to help us raise $25,000 during our July campaign. 

Whether you give once or monthly on our website, donate on our Facebook page, join one of our new membership Clubs, or sponsor a gift brick – you are honoring Mattie’s legacy and Mama Peace’s advocacy with a gift that cultivates peace. 

Peace matters, and so do you. Thank you. 

Mattie & Mama Peace Birthday Campaign!

Wow! Mattie would be 35 on July 17, Mama Peace will be 66 on July 25, and our Foundation is celebrating 20 years of programs and activities that help youth and adults understand and choose peace!

Our annual “Mattie & Mama Peace Birthday Campaign” is a critical part of our development – securing funding to continue our work. Your support is the gift we need to create new resources, provide ongoing mentorship, and facilitate meaningful programs and conversations and events that amplify peace, purpose, and play.

Technology, social media, and our global issues have changed since this Foundation was created. What has not changed are interruptions to peace, and the need for – and impact of – Mattie’s timeless wisdom and guidance in this world.  

Like many organizations and individuals, Mattie’s Peace Foundation is working hard to balance the budget in an economically challenging time. We are encouraging you – as an individual  or in a group – to help us raise $25,000 during our July campaign. 

Whether you give once or monthly on our website, donate on our Facebook page, join one of our new membership Clubs, or sponsor a gift brick – you are honoring Mattie’s legacy and Mama Peace’s advocacy with a gift that cultivates peace. 

Peace matters, and so do you. Thank you. 

We educate & empower people
to explore and choose peace,
to embrace and follow purpose, &
to engage in conversation and play.

Understanding Peace:
Our Definition of Peace, Purpose, and Play

Mattie - Our Inspiration

Mattie, born with a rare, incurable medical condition, was much like any other kid — he enjoyed games, hanging with friends, and hobbies like rock collecting and reading. He was also a gifted writer, offering choices to “cultivate pathways to peace” through his seven bestselling Heartsongs poetry and peace essays.

Despite struggles related to disability, being bullied, and witnessing close friends perish in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Mattie celebrated life for almost 14 years on Earth. He knew that conflict and challenges would always exist, but still believed that hope is real peace is possible.

“Peace is more than the end of war and violence.”

— Mattie J.T. Stepanek

Peace

Mattie reminds us that peace does not begin with the end of war, but within each of us — when our basic needs are met and we can be “okay” with who and how we are as a person. Peace grows as we compassionately care for others, ensuring their well-being and fostering harmony within and among individuals and communities.

Purpose

Mattie encourages us to seek purpose within — and to celebrate our “reason for being.” Our purpose grows as we make peace with others through purposeful habits and actions, and as we bring peace to others — even people who are different from us, or with whom we disagree.

Play

Mattie celebrated life despite his challenges, believing that play rejuvenates the spirit. Getting to know our neighbors through conversation and recreation creates mutual networks of understanding, which can support us in some inevitable future storm. We don’t have to agree with others to be with others in kind and supportive ways.

What People Are Saying

What People Are Saying

Our Mission

We continue Mattie’s mission of promoting well-being and a deeper understanding of peace at personal, local, and global levels. We support youth and adults in exploring peace as personal and community choices, in finding personal and collective purpose, and in connecting with others through conversation and play.

Our Work

We help people understand, practice, and promote peace through inspiration, information, and interaction with others. Our Pathways2Peace™ and Peace Certification™ programs engage local and global participants with both in-person activities like Peace Day, Mama Peace Chats, and Community Mosaics and virtual events like webinars, Peace Trees, For Our World Campaign, and Heartsongs contests.

Your Support

We rely on donations, memberships, grants, and sponsorships to create easy to understand resources, to facilitate programs and activities, to host in-person and virtual events, and to mentor global youth and adults — at little or no cost to participants. View our Membership & Donating page to learn more.

Our Impact

20+

Years we’ve continued
Mattie’s mission

50+

Countries reached through virtual and
in-person activities and events

5-Star

Stellar reviews of our programs, workshops, and Peace Certification

Begin Your Journey Here

Learn More About...

Understanding Peace

Our tips and tools for exploring Mattie’s messages support you in better understanding and choosing peace – within, with others, with our world – through education, conversation, and fun. 

Practicing Peace

Our self-guided programs and activities for families, educators, and leaders help guide you in role modeling and teaching peace to children and adults in simple, creative, and purposeful ways.

Peace Certification™

Our Peace Certification program offers a more hands-on and mentored experience with our organization, as we guide individuals and groups on personalized journeys of peace.

Connect with Our Community

Sign Up for Our Monthly e-Peace Updates

Stay up-to-date and inspired. Safe, secure, and no spam.
Just add your name to Mattie’s Peace Network – register for free.

“Peace In Your Inbox” 
(complete registry below)

Attend an In-Person or Online Event

Coffee with Mama Peace, virtual webinars, seasonal Foundation activities, and more – we offer inspiring and fun connections to help you explore and practice peace.

Donate

Whether you are joining one of our membership clubs, sponsoring a brick or event, or just making a donation – every dollar you give helps our volunteer-based non-profit.

Volunteer

From event support to online tasks — share your time and talent to help cultivate peace. Let us know what services or supports you would like to share to support our volunteer team!

What We Are Doing Now

What We Are Doing Now

In 2025, Mattie’s Peace Foundation begins celebrating our 20-year anniversary! 

While technology, social media, and so much more has changed across the decades – the need for and the impact of Mattie’s timeless and universal messages of hope and peace have not changed. 

From updated and new Pathways2Peace™ programs, activities, and events and new Parters4Peace™ connections to the return of our membership clubs and forums for youth and adults  – we are excited about “what next?” as we cultivate peace through education, conversation, and recreation!

Unsure of Where to Start?

Chat with Mattie’s Mom, Mama Peace, in a Virtual Experience

Ask questions (audio or text) about Mattie, peace, or our world. There are also clickable links for learning more about specific topics or current news and events.

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