Target Awards $5 Million in Grants to More Than 50 Schools

Target once again used an innovative crowdsourcing approaching to giving to allocate $5 million to 50 schools. Viewers of the Ellen DeGeneres Show were asked to submit names of schools that were in need to help Target make the selection process. The initative even garnered a shot out from Secretary Duncan on Twitter.   This isn't the only time Target has tapped the "wisdom of the crowds."  In 2009 they launched "Bullseye Gives" which used Facebook and fan voting to allocate $3 million to various chartities.  

Target Awards $5 Million in Grants to More Than 50 Schools

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 25, 2012) – Today, Target Corporation(NYSE:TGT) announced the names of the 50 recipients that were selected to receive a $100,000 grant to purchase much-needed resources and improve their learning environments. The $5 million donation from Target to K-12 schools in 31 states across the country is part of the company’s commitment to education, which includes plans to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.

From Nov. 25, 2011 through Jan. 4, 2012, viewers of The Ellen DeGeneres Show were invited to submit the name of a school in need along with a compelling story explaining why they felt the designated school should receive a grant from Target. Based on the nominations received, Target selected 48 schools and two school districts to receive grants. All grant recipients were chosen based on a number of factors, including consideration of Title I eligibility.

“We all have an important role to play when it comes to ensuring our children and future leaders are academically successful,” said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. “Thanks to the thousands of viewers who nominated a school as a potential grant recipient, we are contributing a total of $5 million to schools and districts across the country in hopes of inspiring learning and putting more kids on the path to graduation, ready for college, a career and life.”

By providing schools in need with financial resources to help improve their learning environments, Target is doing its part to address the education crisis in America. This donation is just one way Target is making a difference and helping more U.S. children get or stay on the path to high school graduation.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,767 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company will open its first stores in Canada in 2013. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.