Target Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $28 million (2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (138 awards made in 2024)
Decision Time: Up to 45 days (once approved)
Grant Range: $25,000 - $200,000 (Hometown program); up to $1,500,000 (other programs)
Geographic Focus: Twin Cities/Minnesota (Hometown), National, and Global programs
Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Target Foundation PO Box 1455 Minneapolis, MN 55440

Phone: (612) 761-9219

Website: https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/target-foundation

Overview

Founded in 1918 and renamed from the Dayton Foundation in 2000, the Target Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Target Corporation with assets of approximately $92.7 million. The foundation distributes an amount equal to five percent of Target Corporation's federally taxable income annually—a commitment maintained since 1946. In 2024, Target and Target Foundation gave over $28 million in product and cash donations. The foundation focuses on advancing economic opportunity through three strategic pillars: hometown programs promoting equity in the Twin Cities and Minnesota, national programs supporting financial security and empowerment, and global programs advancing sustainable livelihoods in emerging economies. Under the leadership of President Amanda Nusz, the foundation emphasizes community-led approaches, co-creation, and racial equity as core principles guiding all investments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hometown Racial Equity Grants (Twin Cities/Minnesota)

Grant Range: $25,000 - $200,000
Application Method: Invitation only
Focus: Organizations addressing systemic barriers facing underserved communities in the Twin Cities seven-county metro area and greater Minnesota
Recent Activity: 86 organizations funded in 2022; 138 awards in 2024

National Foundation Program

Grant Range: Varies (invitation only)
Application Method: Invitation only
Focus: Financial stability and empowerment for low-income workers and families across the United States

Global Foundation Program

Grant Range: Multi-year grants available
Application Method: Invitation only with option to submit Global General Information Form
Focus: Sustainable livelihoods in emerging economies

Priority Areas

Hometown Program (Minnesota) - Four Priority Areas:

Entrepreneurship and Small Business: Training, financial services/loans, and network building for entrepreneurs at all stages
Workforce Development: Career pathways and job training for unemployed and underemployed workers
Housing: Affordable housing, tenant rights, and sustainable homeownership initiatives
Asset Building: Financial education and wealth-building services

National Program - Two Focus Areas:

Financial Resilience and Inclusion: Tools and services enabling low-income workers and families to attain financial stability, self-efficacy, and dignity
Workforce Development: Skills, opportunities, and resources for individuals with limited income to adapt to the changing nature of work

Global Program - Three Priorities:

Equipping organizations and communities with capacity to create sustainable economic opportunity
Enabling access to financial solutions that help families maintain and grow their assets
Equipping people and communities with tools and knowledge to solve problems and shape institutions

Organizational Preferences:

Organizations with annual budgets under $5 million prioritized to extend reach
Organizations strengthening networks, coalitions, and movements
Community-led organizations serving underserved and under-resourced communities

What They Don't Fund

Grants to individuals
Religious organizations for religious purposes
Sponsorships or fundraising events
Direct political lobbying
Endowments or capital requests
Government entities

Governance and Leadership

President: Amanda Nusz, Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Target Corporation (in role since 1996 in various capacities)

Amanda Nusz has articulated the foundation's philosophy of co-creation and community partnership: "The idea of co-creation is the central component to our process and our progress at Target," describing it as anchoring their sustainability strategy to "co-create an equitable and regenerative future with our guests, partners and communities."

On the foundation's approach to racial equity and grantmaking, Nusz stated: "In advancing racial equity through systems change, how we do it matters. We continuously learn from our partners and recognize that answers to the issues of society are within our community, which is why we invest in organizations and networks that take a community-led approach to expanding economic opportunity."

Regarding the foundation's commitment to Minneapolis-St. Paul: "For more than 100 years, the Target Foundation's support of our Twin Cities home has never wavered. Through our hometown racial equity grants, we seek to bolster work that is making a lasting and transformational difference in our communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The majority of Target Foundation grants across all programs (Hometown, National, and Global) are made by invitation only.

Exception for Global Program: While investments are invitation-only, the foundation acknowledges that "there is great work being done by organizations that may be unfamiliar to their team." Organizations working in global contexts can share information about their programs via a Global General Information Form available on the foundation's website.

Alternative Target Giving Options: Organizations can request Target GiftCard donations by completing a request form and bringing it to a local Target store. Additionally, the Target Circle Community Giving program awards grants to nonprofits based on percentage of votes received during voting periods.

Getting on Their Radar

Note: This section contains specific, documented information about this funder's approach.

The Target Foundation emphasizes community-led approaches and partnership building. Specific strategies documented by the foundation include:

Multi-year partnership approach: The foundation has supported organizations like Mni Sota Fund as "multi-year recipients" of hometown racial equity grants, indicating they build long-term relationships with effective partners.
Network and coalition focus: The foundation explicitly prioritizes "organizations strengthening networks, coalitions and movements," suggesting involvement in relevant sector coalitions could increase visibility.
Alignment with Target's broader community engagement: Target operates multiple community giving programs beyond the foundation. Building relationships through Target Circle Community Giving or local Target store partnerships may provide pathways to foundation visibility.
Geographic proximity for Hometown grants: Priority is given to organizations based in the Twin Cities seven-county metro area, making local presence and community connections important.

Decision Timeline

Once an application is approved through the invitation process, the donation approval process typically takes up to 45 days. Funds are distributed through direct deposit, wire transfer, or paper check.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, data shows:

2024: 138 awards made
2023: 144 awards made
2022: 265 awards made; 86 organizations funded through Hometown Racial Equity Grants specifically

The decline in number of awards from 2022 to 2024 may reflect larger grant sizes or more concentrated investment strategies.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented due to the invitation-only nature of the grant programs.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of Target Foundation grants, traditional application advice is less relevant. However, research reveals these funder-specific insights:

Community-Led Approach is Central: Amanda Nusz's statement that "answers to the issues of society are within our community" reflects the foundation's preference for organizations that center community voice and leadership rather than imposing external solutions.

Systems Change Focus: The foundation emphasizes "advancing racial equity through systems change" and notes that "how we do it matters," indicating they look for organizations addressing root causes and structural barriers, not just symptoms.

Network Strengthening: The foundation explicitly values "organizations strengthening networks, coalitions and movements," recognizing social change requires multi-sector collaboration. Organizations operating in isolation may be less aligned with their approach.

Examples of Funded Organizations (2020-2022 Hometown Grants):

Center for Economic Inclusion ($1.5 million + $250,000 in 2022)
Build Wealth MN
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio Inc. (CLUES)
Urban League Twin Cities
Mni Sota Fund (multi-year recipient)
Hope Community Inc.
African American Leadership Forum
Hmong American Farmers Association
Latino Economic Development Center
Northside Funders Group
American Indian OIC (AIOIC)
Namati (Global program - Legal Empowerment Network support)

Key Terminology the Foundation Uses:

"Underserved and under-resourced communities"
"Community-led approaches"
"Racial equity"
"Economic opportunity" (not just jobs, but comprehensive economic advancement)
"Co-creation"
"Sustainable livelihoods"

Budget Size Matters: The foundation prioritizes organizations with annual budgets under $5 million, suggesting they aim to support smaller, community-based organizations rather than large national nonprofits.

Values Accountability: Nusz noted their work "coincides with our commitment to accountability as we work to create positive change," suggesting funded organizations should demonstrate clear metrics and transparent reporting.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only process means relationship-building is essential: Traditional unsolicited applications are not accepted for foundation grants; focus on becoming known in relevant networks and coalitions where Target Foundation operates
Community-led and racial equity focus is non-negotiable: Organizations must demonstrate authentic community leadership and explicit racial equity analysis in their work
Think networks, not solo efforts: The foundation explicitly values coalition-building and multi-sector collaboration; being part of or building networks increases alignment
Budget size matters for Hometown grants: Organizations with budgets under $5 million are prioritized, making this potentially more accessible for smaller community-based organizations than other corporate foundations
Long-term relationships are valued: Multi-year recipients like Mni Sota Fund suggest the foundation prefers deepening partnerships over constantly seeking new grantees
Geographic focus is strong for Hometown program: Twin Cities seven-county metro area organizations receive priority, making local presence important for Minnesota-focused work
Alternative entry points exist: While foundation grants are invitation-only, Target Circle Community Giving and store-level partnerships may provide visibility and relationship-building opportunities

References

Target Foundation Overview. Target Corporation. https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/target-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
Target Foundation Hometown Programs. Target Corporation. https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/target-foundation/hometown (Accessed December 2024)
Target Foundation Hometown Funding Guidelines. Target Corporation. https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/target-foundation/hometown/hometown-funding-guidelines (Accessed December 2024)
Target Foundation National Programs. Target Corporation. https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/target-foundation/national (Accessed December 2024)
Target Foundation Global Programs. Target Corporation. https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/target-foundation/global (Accessed December 2024)
Grants & Corporate Giving. Target Corporation. https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/communities/grants-corporate-giving (Accessed December 2024)
"How Target Foundation Is Supporting Our Communities with the 2022 Hometown Racial Equity Grants." Target Corporation, November 2022. https://corporate.target.com/news-features/article/2022/11/hometown-grants (Accessed December 2024)
"Target's Impact on the Communities We Serve." Target Corporation, March 2025. https://corporate.target.com/news-features/article/2025/03/community-impact (Accessed December 2024)
"Target Foundation Awards More Than $5 Million to Twin Cities Nonprofits Helping Promote Racial Equity." Target Corporation, December 2020. https://corporate.target.com/news-features/article/2020/12/2020-hometown-grants (Accessed December 2024)
Target Foundation. Instrumentl 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/target-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
Target Foundation Profile. Cause IQ. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/target-foundation,416017088/ (Accessed December 2024)
"Suite Talk: Target's Amanda Nusz on Prioritizing Personal Well-being and Serving Others With Intention." WWD, 2024. https://wwd.com/business-news/business-features/amanda-nusz-target-wellness-retail-innovation-1236883369/ (Accessed December 2024)
Amanda Nusz LinkedIn: Hometown Programs. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/amandanusz_hometown-programs-target-foundation-activity-6926920331869749250-bWfb (Accessed December 2024)
"ESG Next: An Interview With Target's Amanda Nusz." NationSwell. https://nationswell.com/esg-next-an-interview-with-targets-amanda-nusz/ (Accessed December 2024)