Target Community Grants
Target is committed to working with law enforcement agencies because they believe the private sector has a responsibility to assist law enforcement and law enforcement in the interest of public safety.
Through Target community grants from the Community Engagement Fund (CEF), they support public safety agencies and their 501c3 partner organizations with crime prevention projects, programs and events.
Know The Foundation And Target Community Grants
The Target Community Grants is committed to enabling shared prosperity and opportunity by upholding equity and inclusion for all communities. Guided by deep commitment to communities, the foundation invest in leaders, organizations, coalitions and networks that equitably expand economic opportunity and enable communities to determine their own futures.
Target Community Grants Foundation support strategies that center and uplift the voices, stories, and leaderships of individuals and communities that have historically been silenced.
Building on the legacy of giving in both hometowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul and across the United States and in emerging markets around the world, Target foundation remain committed to listening, learning, and building the kind of relationships with partners that will transform systems realize a world where joy is for all.
For more than 100 years, the Target Community Grants Foundation (incorporated as The Dayton Foundation) has advocated the idea that the prosperity of a company depends on the prosperity of the communities in which it operates. Serving and supporting the neighbors is an important part of Target Foundation’s history and commitment.
In 2019, the foundation expanded its support to meet the growing urgency in the hometown, across the country and around the world to help fill the widening socioeconomic gaps.
Target Foundation’s Journey
They work to provide solutions that better serve our communities and our environment can be seen throughout the business—from inclusive and sustainable product ranges and the increasing renewable energy footprint in the operations, to the organization’s commitment to social justice and philanthropic support underserved communities at home and around the world.
- In 2019, foundation set science-based Scope 1, 2 and 3 emission reduction targets – becoming a leader in US retail – and also committed to the 1.5°C Business Ambition to ensure organization’s emissions contribute no more than 1.5 degrees of warming. As part of renewable energy efforts, the foundation currently have projects and partnerships that, upon completion, will result in sourcing nearly 50% of the electricity from renewable sources, which is on track to reach 100% by 2030.
- Circular design principles can be seen in two of organization’s own brands, Universal Thread and Everspring, and the foundation accelerated commitment to sustainable packaging in 2018 when Target became a signatory to the New Plastics Economy.
- Target’s Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) Committee was formed in 2020 and is accelerating the work to create racial justice for Black team members, guests and communities. REACH builds on 15 years of progress in creating a diverse workforce and setting diversity and inclusion goals for Target’s team and organization.
Target Forward builds on those efforts, continues to work on those commitments, and sets new goals to accelerate their ambition and drive more change that’s good for everyone. The list below is a first set of milestones that Target foundation have established through continued listening and collaboration with the partners and communities.
Target will continue to develop and add to this list as they work to realize their vision of a fairer and more regenerative future for all.
Community Vitality
Through Target Forward, they will unleash aligned and integrated community-focused solutions and philanthropic strategies to accelerate progress towards sustainability commitments and goals.
This builds on their long history of community support, including a philanthropic commitment to give 5% annually, an industry-leading track record of commitment and volunteerism from team members, and a commitment to using the size, scale and business to positively impact communities to influence.
Basic Target Community Grant Programs
- Community Engagement Funds: Target’s Community Engagement Funds (CEF) allow their store managers and distribution center managers across the country to support local programs and organizations. CEF grants are by invitation only.
- Key Market Grants: In communities where Target Community Grants have significant retail and distribution centers, team members and guests, their Key Market Grants allow them to support social and environmental issues critical to community vitality and resilience. Key Market Grants are by invitation only.
- REACH Community Grants: In 2021, Target Community Grants committed to invest $100 million by 2025 to foster economic prosperity in black communities across the country. Target do this by supporting local Black-led organizations to ensure resources are targeted specifically to the communities they serve. Currently, REACH Community Grants are by invitation only.
- Targeted GiftCard Donations: Target’s local businesses care about the communities they serve. If your organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accredited school, or public entity, you can go to one of Target stores to request a Target GiftCard donation.
To be considered, please complete the GiftCard application form, print it and take it to your local Target store. You must provide a government confirmation letter or other letter provided by the IRS to confirm the status of your nonprofit organization or public agency (e.g., public school, public library).
Target GiftCard donations are available February through December, funding permitting. An average donation is $25-50, with a maximum donation of $500 per year per agency. Target Community grants does not donate merchandise. Stores typically take up to 30 days to review a request and respond with an approval or denial.
REACH Efforts Supporting Community Impact
Target community grants is committed to helping create a just future for all and is implementing Target Forward strategy to help everyone thrive. As part of their commitment to Action for Racial Equality and Change (REACH), Target foundation finding new ways to support Black communities across the country.
- In 2021, Target committed to investing $100 million by 2025 to foster economic prosperity in black communities across the country. Target Community Grants will do this by supporting local Black-led organizations to ensure resources are developed specifically for the communities they serve.
- Target foundation proudly launched Target Scholars program in partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and will support students at more than a dozen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with scholarships.
- Target community grants are also a founding supporter of the PENSOLE Lewis College of Business & Design, which aims to be the first reopened historically black college in the country and the first historically black college with a design focus.
- Target Community Grants team members have provided over 10,000 hours of free consulting services to Black, Native American and other Colored owned small businesses in the Twin Cities, Chicago, Atlanta and the San Francisco Bay Areas.
Influencing The Resilience And Vitality Of Local Communities
Target community grants truly changing the way the foundation approach their giving and community engagement, drawing on a deep commitment to listening and learning and providing organization’s tools, programs and supports that are individualized, tailored and responsive what our communities are telling us they need most.
- Supporting Small Businesses: As we listened to the team members and community last year, it became clear that there was a mutual desire for support beyond financial resources. Target’s pro bono program builds the capacity of Black, Indigenous and Black minority business owners by empowering our team members to focus their skills and expertise on grassroots engagement that strengthens local economies. To date we have invested over 10,000 hours.
- Response to the Coronavirus: Target’s efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines allowed them to quickly meet the changing needs and values of the community in times of crisis. While recognizing that the coronavirus was a global and national crisis, they also mobilized and provided resources to local, community-based organizations across the United States that were able to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of their communities.
- Community-Driven Solutions: Target’s local teams work with trusted community organizations to address community needs and concerns across the country. One example is when the T-1507 store team realized that their Richmond, California community was struggling to support the growing population of people without homes near their store. In response, they partnered with local non-profit organization Collaborising, identifying service providers and partner organizations together, and planning a full-day outreach to support the homeless living near the store. Working with community partners, Target Community grants team volunteers cleared debris around the camp and distributed over $500 in gift cards that residents could use to purchase groceries, personal care items, first aid kits and more. Camp residents responded, and many — despite previously refusing to accept counseling services — chose to speak to a nonprofit team of mental health patients and substance abuse professionals for short and long-term support.
Inside Target’s $100 Million Investment In Black Communities
Target is committed to helping create a just future for all and implementing our Target Forward strategy to help everyone thrive. And today, they proud to announce that Target Community grants investing $100 million through 2025 to foster economic prosperity in black communities across the country.
Target will do this by supporting local Black-led organizations to ensure resources are developed specifically for the communities they serve.
“As one of the largest retailers in the United States, Target know they have a responsibility and an opportunity to apply the resources to end systemic racism and accelerate economic prosperity for black communities,” said Amanda Nusz, Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and President of the Target Foundation. “Through this commitment, we aim to support the next generation of black talent, expand the impact of black-led movements and voices, and create economic opportunity in black communities across the country.”
This $100 million investment is another example of Target’s strategy of action and change for racial equality, which builds on the initial $10 million pledge Target Community grants made in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd.
And the 10,000 hours of pro bono consulting services they have provided to Black, Indigenous and People-of-Color-led small businesses in the Twin Cities.
It also follows new commitments in 2021, including Target’s plan to spend $2 billion on Black-owned businesses by 2025 and provide scholarships and ongoing professional resources to 1,000 Black and help minority students through Target Scholarship programs to empower the next generation of Black talent.
- Providing scholarships and support to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and founding supporters of PENSOLE Lewis College of Business & Design in Detroit (more on this below).
- Expanding Target’s funding to Black-led nonprofits.
- Sponsorship programs that elevate Black stories and voices.
Over the past year, Target have been listening to members of the Black community across the country to better understand what resources are most needed to break down barriers and advance social justice, and as part of this new investment, Target Community grants will be focusing on resources to feed directly into Black communities, including: