TJX Foundation and Corporate Giving
/OVERVIEW: TJX Companies, Inc. makes grants through U.S., Canadian and European foundations, as well as corporate giving programs run by its individual retail chains. Areas of giving include education, work and opportunity, housing and homelessness, disease treatment and research and domestic violence prevention.
IP TAKE: The company runs three foundations and a handful of giving programs through its individual retail chains. Giving focuses on creating opportunities for underserved children, youth and women; supporting research and treatment for life threatening diseases and initiatives to help victims of domestic violence.
This funder mainly supports large, national organizations working in its areas of interest, with the exception of some smaller organizations in Massachusetts, where the company is based, and shelters for victims of domestic violence. It’s also a collaborative funder that understands the importance of partnerships in philanthropy.
TJX’s U.S. foundation is accessible, accepting letters of inquiry though an online portal. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Most TJX grants are awarded in amounts up to $50,000.
PROFILE: Massachusetts-based TJX Companies, Inc., a retail corporation known for its TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods and other retail chains, conducts its philanthropy through the TJX Foundation and corporate giving programs. The company also runs the TJX Canada Foundation and the T.K. Maxx and Homesense Foundation in Europe. Across all foundations and giving programs, the foundation names four goals: fulfilling critical basic needs, providing education and training, supporting research and care for life-threatening illnesses and preventing domestic violence. This funder makes grants for K-12 education, work and opportunity, homelessness, disease research and violence prevention, working mainly through partnerships with large, nationally recognized organizations.
Grants for K-12 Education
TJX’s K-12 grants focus on vulnerable children and out-of-school learning and enrichment opportunities. In a recent year, TJX supported Save the Children U.S.’s 100 Days of Reading Campaign. The foundation has also provided ongoing support to national organizations including the Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and After School All-Stars for their after-school and summer learning programs. One smaller organization that received a TJX grant is the Massachusetts-based Catie’s Closet, which provides children in need access to free clothing and other necessities through their schools.
Grants for Work and Economic Opportunity
TJX’s grants for economic development and opportunity often focus on creating opportunity for young adults and women. A signature program, the Youth Business Institute, provides 11-week professional development and job skills programs for underserved teens and young adults in select locations across the U.S. The TJX Canada Foundation created Find Your Stride, which “helps vulnerable women achieve economic independence so that they and their families can thrive in life” and provides ongoing support for the Canadian chapter of Dress for Success, which helps women in need obtain professional clothing for job interviews and work settings.
Grants for Housing, Homelessness and Community Development
TJX has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping homeless and housing insecure individuals and families. Through its U.S. foundation, TJX supports Cradles to Crayons, which supports homeless children by providing them with “high quality essential items they need to thrive.” In Canada, TJX has supported Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build and restore homes for vulnerable families.
Grants for Disease Research
TJX broad supports disease research. Past grantees include several organizations involved in researching and treating life-threatening illnesses. Grantees include the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and JDRF, which funds research and advocacy for Type 1 diabetes.
Grants for Violence Prevention
TJX broadly supports numerous organizations in the U.S. and Canada that aim to “provide a safe haven for those fleeing domestic violence along with the tools they need to rebuild their lives.” Grantees include the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Canada’s Women in Need Society, and numerous women’s shelters across the U.S.
Important Grant Details:
Through its three foundations and corporate giving programs, TJX makes over $10 million a year in grants. Most of its grants are awarded in amounts up to $50,000, but organizations with which TJX maintains long-standing relationships have received amounts of up to $500,000 on occasion. TJX tends to work with well-known national organizations, but some smaller organizations in the company’s home state of Massachusetts and domestic violence shelters have also received funding. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the TJX Foundation’s recent tax filings.
TJX’s U.S. foundation accepts letters of inquiry on an ongoing basis from organizations working in its specific areas of interest. Prospective grantees are encouraged to take the foundation’s online eligibility test. Selected applicants will receive invitations to submit full proposals. General inquiries may be directed to the foundation’s staff via email.
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