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TJX Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$23.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

TJX Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $23.3 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Rolling review of LOIs
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $500,000 (average $5,000)
  • Total Assets: $61 million (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Within 15 miles of any TJX store, distribution center, or office in the United States (including Puerto Rico)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 770 Cochituate Rd., Corp. Tax Dept. 5002CS Framingham, MA 01701-4666

Phone: (774) 308-3199 Fax: (774) 308-5722 Email: tjx_foundation@tjx.com (for inquiries only, does not accept applications)

Website: https://www.tjx.com/corporate-responsibility/communities/our-us-foundation

Contact Person: Patrick Flavin, Assistant Vice President, Community Relations

Application Portal: Blackbaud Grantmaking (invitation only)

Overview

The TJX Foundation Inc, established as the charitable arm of TJX Companies Inc. (parent company of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra), is a private foundation based in Framingham, Massachusetts. With assets of $61 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $23-24 million, the Foundation made 1,321 awards in 2022. The Foundation's mission is to deliver value to communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future. The Foundation maintains a highly focused funding strategy, supporting only three specific program areas: out-of-school education for at-risk youth, workforce readiness training for disadvantaged young people, and services for victims of domestic violence. Organizations must be located within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office to be eligible, ensuring the Foundation's impact extends to communities where TJX operates. In Fiscal 2025, the Foundation supported more than 1,400 Associate Nominated Grants, demonstrating strong employee engagement in philanthropic activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The TJX Foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry through a rolling process (February-October) for three specific funding categories:

Youth Education & Enrichment

  • Focus: Access to opportunities outside of school that enable school success for at-risk youth (pre-kindergarten to grade 12)
  • Includes after-school and summer learning programs
  • Grant amounts vary; examples include partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and After School All-Stars

Workforce Readiness

  • Focus: Skills training for at-risk youth ages 16-24 to foster workforce readiness
  • Emphasis on programs that prepare disadvantaged young people for employment
  • Average grants around $5,000, with larger amounts for established partners

Domestic Violence Services

  • Focus: Safety from domestic violence including shelter, prevention, and services
  • Support for victims of domestic violence and their families
  • Programs that provide safe housing and support services

Additional Strategic Initiatives The Foundation also supports basic-need services (food, clothing, shelter) for disadvantaged women, children, and families, though these align within the three core focus areas. They maintain partnerships with national organizations like Feeding America, Operation Warm, Cradles to Crayons, and Save the Children.

Priority Areas

  • Programs serving at-risk youth and their families
  • Organizations addressing basic needs (food, clothing, shelter)
  • Educational programs that enable school success for children in poverty
  • Job training and workforce development for vulnerable populations
  • Domestic violence prevention and victim services
  • Communities where TJX Companies operates retail locations

What They Don't Fund

The TJX Foundation explicitly does NOT fund:

  • Gift card requests
  • Product donation requests (not currently accepting)
  • Event sponsorships (not currently accepting)
  • Organizations located more than 15 miles from a TJX store, distribution center, or office
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status for at least 12 months
  • Organizations that have received TJX funding in the past 12 months
  • Organizations without a public nondiscrimination policy (must have policies against discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status)
  • Programs outside the three core focus areas (youth education, workforce readiness, domestic violence services)

Governance and Leadership

The TJX Foundation is governed by officers who also hold executive positions with the parent company, TJX Companies Inc.

Board Officers:

  • Bernard Cammarata - President & Chairman
  • Ernie Herrman - Vice President
  • Mary Reynolds - Vice President & Treasurer
  • George Wilson - Vice President
  • Paul Kangas - Vice President
  • Scott Goldenberg - Vice President
  • Ann McCauley - Secretary
  • Alicia Kelly - Assistant Secretary
  • Lisa Schwartz - Assistant Secretary
  • Nancy Hendrickson - Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
  • Susan Beaumont - Assistant Secretary

Contact for Community Relations: Patrick Flavin, Assistant Vice President, Community Relations

The Foundation's leadership structure reflects its integration with TJX Companies, ensuring alignment between corporate values and philanthropic priorities. This structure allows the Foundation to leverage the company's extensive retail footprint to create impact in communities across the United States.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The TJX Foundation uses a multi-stage application process managed through Blackbaud Grantmaking:

Step 1: Eligibility Questionnaire Organizations must first complete an eligibility questionnaire to determine if they meet basic requirements (501(c)(3) status for 12+ months, location within 15 miles of TJX facility, alignment with focus areas, nondiscrimination policy, no funding received in past 12 months).

Step 2: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) If eligible, organizations may submit a Letter of Inquiry through the Blackbaud portal. All applicants must create a Blackbaud ID to access the system. The LOI portal is open annually from February through October.

Step 3: Invitation to Full Application Applications are accepted by invitation only. Following the submission of the LOI, selected nonprofits will receive an invitation to complete a full application for funding. The Foundation reviews LOIs on a rolling basis.

Important Application Notes:

  • The Foundation does not notify applicants if their LOI is not selected for a full application
  • Applicants should not contact the Foundation to inquire about LOI status
  • While tjx_foundation@tjx.com can be used for general inquiries about grantmaking, this inbox does not accept applications or grant requests
  • Organizations that have received funding must wait at least 12 months before reapplying

Required Documents

Applicants invited to submit a full application should have ready:

  • Copy of IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status
  • Detailed project proposal outlining objectives, timelines, and expected outcomes
  • Comprehensive budget specifying how grant funds will be allocated
  • Financial statements from the previous year to demonstrate fiscal responsibility
  • Documentation of nondiscrimination policy
  • Clear statement of need articulating why funding is necessary
  • Specific goals and measurable objectives demonstrating the impact of the proposed project

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Submission Period: February - October (annually)
  • LOI Review: Rolling basis throughout the submission period
  • Full Application: By invitation only after LOI review
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed; varies based on application volume and review cycle
  • Notification: Selected applicants receive invitations to submit full applications; unsuccessful LOI applicants are not notified

The Foundation advises that due to funding constraints, they cannot guarantee that all nonprofits meeting eligibility requirements will be funded, even after receiving an invitation to submit a full application.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publish specific success rate data. However, available statistics show:

  • 1,321 awards made in 2022
  • More than 1,400 Associate Nominated Grants in Fiscal 2025
  • Total annual giving of approximately $23-24 million

With grants averaging $5,000 and total giving of $23 million, the Foundation appears to make several thousand grants annually across all programs (including both competitive grants and Associate Nominated Grants).

Reapplication Policy

Waiting Period: Organizations that have received funding from TJX must wait at least 12 months from the date of their previous grant before they can reapply. This is a firm eligibility requirement.

Future Funding Considerations:

  • Grantees may be required to submit additional reporting at the end of the grant cycle
  • Failure to submit required reports will impact future funding eligibility
  • Meeting the 12-month waiting period does not guarantee repeat funding
  • Previous grantees must go through the same competitive LOI and application process
  • The Foundation maintains long-standing relationships with some organizations, which can receive larger grants (up to $500,000) on occasion

Application Success Factors

The TJX Foundation looks for organizations that align closely with their three core focus areas and serve communities where TJX operates. Based on the Foundation's documented guidance and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

Geographic Alignment Organizations must prove they serve populations within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office. Given TJX operates T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Homesense, and Sierra locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, this covers most metropolitan and many suburban areas.

Clear Mission Fit Applications must align precisely with one of three focus areas: out-of-school youth education (pre-K through grade 12), workforce readiness for at-risk youth ages 16-24, or domestic violence services. Programs that try to fit multiple categories or fall outside these areas are not successful.

Measurable Impact The Foundation emphasizes "specific goals and measurable objectives that demonstrate the impact of the proposed project." Successful applications include clear metrics for how the program will enable school success, foster workforce readiness, or provide safety for victims.

Fiscal Responsibility Applications must include "a well-structured budget that aligns with the stated goals and shows responsible financial planning." The Foundation requires financial statements from the previous year to evaluate organizational stability.

Demonstrated Need The Foundation seeks "a clear statement of need that articulates why funding is necessary." Applications should demonstrate the specific gap the program will fill in serving disadvantaged women, children, and families.

DEI Commitment Organizations must have a public nondiscrimination policy covering race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital status, and military status. This is a mandatory eligibility requirement.

Examples of Funded Programs:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and After School All-Stars for after-school and summer learning programs
  • Save the Children U.S.'s 100 Days of Reading Campaign
  • Cradles to Crayons serving children birth through age 12 in homeless shelters or low-income situations
  • Feeding America for distribution to 200 food banks
  • Operation Warm providing brand-new coats and shoes to children in need
  • Catie's Closet providing children access to free clothing through schools
  • World Central Kitchen and Red Cross for disaster relief
  • Unity House for children's programs and services

Application Tips from Grantee Feedback:

  • The LOI process is described as "easy and painless and worth taking the chance"
  • Do not contact the Foundation to inquire about LOI status - they explicitly discourage this
  • Be prepared that the Foundation does not notify unsuccessful applicants
  • Organizations with long-standing relationships can receive significantly larger grants (up to $500,000), suggesting relationship-building over time can lead to increased support
  • Associate Nominated Grants represent a significant portion of the Foundation's giving, so nonprofits may benefit from engagement with TJX store associates in their community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Verify your organization serves an area within 15 miles of any TJX store (T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Homesense, or Sierra) before investing time in an application. Use the store locator on TJX brand websites to confirm.

  • Three focus areas only: The Foundation maintains strict focus on out-of-school youth education, workforce readiness for ages 16-24, and domestic violence services. Programs that don't clearly fit one of these three categories will not be funded.

  • LOI is the gateway: Success depends on the Letter of Inquiry stage. Make this document compelling and aligned with Foundation priorities, as only selected LOIs lead to full application invitations. The Foundation reviews on a rolling basis from February-October.

  • 12-month waiting period is firm: If your organization has received TJX funding before, you cannot reapply until 12 months have passed. Plan your funding timeline accordingly.

  • Associate Nominated Grants matter: With 1,400+ Associate Nominated Grants in FY2025, building relationships with local TJX store associates could open an additional funding pathway beyond the competitive grant process.

  • Expect no news for unsuccessful LOIs: The Foundation does not notify organizations whose LOIs are not selected. Factor this into your grant planning timeline and don't expect closure if you don't hear back.

  • Long-term relationships can grow: While average grants are $5,000, organizations with established relationships have received up to $500,000. View an initial grant as a potential entry point to a long-term funding partnership.

References

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