Does Target donate gift cards?

Yes. Local stores give Target GiftCard donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and accredited schools. The average donation is $25-50, with a maximum of $500 per year per agency, and the gift cards are sent electronically by email.

Does Target donate products for raffles or events?

No. Target says it does not donate merchandise.

Can schools apply for Community Engagement Funds?

K-12 public or nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community and junior colleges, and colleges and universities with an NCES number are eligible. The 2026 application windows are closed; Target says to return in April 2027.

How long does Target take to reply to a gift card request?

Target says stores typically take up to 30 days to review a request and respond with an approval or decline.

Can we apply for a larger Target grant?

Community Engagement Funds grants range from $1,000 to $15,000. Both 2026 application windows are closed, and Target says to return in April 2027 for Cycle 1 applications.

Target donation request

Target stores give Target GiftCard donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and accredited schools: fill out Target's GiftCard request form, print it and take it to your local Target store. Store and distribution center leaders also award Community Engagement Funds grants of $1,000 to $15,000 in two application windows a year, but both 2026 windows have closed and Target says to return in April 2027. Target does not donate merchandise, and Target says most of its other grants are by invitation only.

Checked against Target's own pages on October 5, 2026 by With Help From. Not affiliated with Target.

Status: Accepts requests
What it gives: Target GiftCards, sent as electronic gift cards by email. Target does not donate merchandise. (Target GiftCard donations)
Grants for local programs, decided by Target store and distribution center leaders (Community Engagement Funds (CEF))
Grants to nonprofits, split according to the share of votes Target Circle members give each nonprofit in a voting period (Target Circle Community Giving)
Who decides: Local store

Apply on corporate.target.com

Target GiftCard donations

Target GiftCards, sent as electronic gift cards by email. Target does not donate merchandise.. Average donation $25-50, with a maximum of $500 per year, per agency

Who can apply: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations
Accredited schools
Located in the United States or one of its protectorates
How to apply: Download the Target GiftCard Request Form.
Fill it out completely: organization name, amount requested, contact person, email, phone, address, EIN (9-digit federal tax ID) or 12-digit NCES ID, and how the gift card will be used.
Print the form and bring it to your local Target store, with a Government Affirmation letter or other IRS-provided letter that verifies your nonprofit or accredited school status.
Deadlines: Available February through December, as funding permits
Response: Stores typically take up to 30 days to review a request and respond with an approval or decline.
Official page: corporate.target.com/getmedia/a4a8f1ab-ded9-4882-a76c-d3a480f02b17/TargetGiftCard-Reqest-Form.pdf

Community Engagement Funds (CEF)

Grants for local programs, decided by Target store and distribution center leaders. $1,000 to $15,000

Who can apply: 501(c)(3) public charities with current tax-exempt status
K-12 public or nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community and junior colleges, and colleges and universities with a National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) number
Not eligible: An organization that received a Cycle 1 grant for a program cannot apply in Cycle 2 for the same program
How to apply: Read the program guidelines on Target's Community Engagement Funds page.
Apply during an application window. While applications are closed, the page shows no application link.
Target prioritizes programs in its focus areas: Thriving Families (basic needs and youth development), Vibrant Neighborhoods (community vitalization, community and green spaces), Emerging Creative & Culture (cultural partnerships and creative programming) and Economic Opportunity (workforce development).
An organization can have up to 10 applications at a time.
Deadlines: 2026: Cycle 1 April 6 to May 6, Cycle 2 August 3 to September 4. Applications for Cycle 2 are closed, and Target says to return in April 2027 for Cycle 1.
Response: Fund decisions in July 2026 for Cycle 1 and November 2026 for Cycle 2.
Official page: corporate.target.com/about/purpose-history/communities/grants-corporate-giving/community-engagement-funds

Target Circle Community Giving

Grants to nonprofits, split according to the share of votes Target Circle members give each nonprofit in a voting period

How to apply: Use the 'Apply to be a Target Circle partner' link on Target's page, which opens Simple Generosity's Nonprofit Partner Questionnaire.
Create an account and search for your organization by EIN. If it is already in the system, it is in the pool of potential grantees and nothing more is needed. If not, complete the questionnaire.
Target's partners in/PACT and Simple Generosity research and select the nonprofits that take part. Target Circle members then vote.
Official page: simplegenerosity.org/nonprofit-partner-questionnaire

Write the request

Before you open the form, write down what the donation is for, the date, how many people it reaches and how you will thank Target. If Target asks for a letter, adapt the donation request template or a youth sports sponsorship letter. After a yes, send a sponsor thank-you letter.

Questions

Does Target donate gift cards?: Yes. Local stores give Target GiftCard donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and accredited schools. The average donation is $25-50, with a maximum of $500 per year per agency, and the gift cards are sent electronically by email.
Does Target donate products for raffles or events?: No. Target says it does not donate merchandise.
Can schools apply for Community Engagement Funds?: K-12 public or nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community and junior colleges, and colleges and universities with an NCES number are eligible. The 2026 application windows are closed; Target says to return in April 2027.
How long does Target take to reply to a gift card request?: Target says stores typically take up to 30 days to review a request and respond with an approval or decline.
Can we apply for a larger Target grant?: Community Engagement Funds grants range from $1,000 to $15,000. Both 2026 application windows are closed, and Target says to return in April 2027 for Cycle 1 applications.

Sources

Corporate Giving | Target (Target Corporation)
Target Community Giving GiftCard Request Form (Target Corporation)
Community Engagement Funds | Target (Target Corporation)
Target Circle Community Giving | Target Corporation (Target Corporation)
Nonprofit Partner Questionnaire Intro (Simple Generosity (Target Circle partner, linked from Target's page))
Overview | Target Foundation (Target Foundation)

Other big-box and online retail companies

All 32 companies that donate

Ask local businesses too

Independent businesses near you have no national form: the owner decides. Post what you need so businesses on With Help From can find you, or read how to ask local businesses for donations.