Store-Based Giving Program Grant

The Store-Based Giving Program by Ross Stores Foundation supports socioeconomically disadvantaged youth by providing gift cards for school or professional clothing. Organizations must be federal tax-exempt and serve at least 60% low-income youth. Eligible programs include academic achievement and life skills initiatives. Award amounts typically range from $300 to $500, depending on budget and mission alignment. Applications are not accepted from organizations that have received donations within the past 12 months.

Store-Based Giving Guidelines
Through the Store-Based Giving Program, Ross helps young people in our communities dress for a bright future. We proudly support nonprofit organizations that help socioeconomically disadvantaged youth with academic achievement and/or building important life skills, like financial literacy and career readiness.
Our support through this program comes in the form of gift cards to our Ross Dress for Less or dd’s DISCOUNTS Stores. The gift cards must be used to purchase school or professional clothing/accessories for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Other uses of the gift cards are not supported or allowed. Please note that award amounts will depend on available budget and alignment with our mission; however, the gift cards are usually valued between $300-$500.

Eligibility

Prior to submitting an application, please ensure your organization meets ALL of the following criteria. Applications from organizations that do not meet all of the listed requirements will be automatically declined.
Organization must be a federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, school, or government program.
Organization must offer academic achievement and/or life skills programs on an ongoing basis (i.e., not a one-off event) for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth (ages 3-24).
Refer to the lists of eligible and ineligible programs included on this page.
Requests for one-time giveaway or fundraising events will not be considered.
Organization must serve at least 60% of youth from low-income families.
Organization must serve a community within 25 miles of a Ross Dress for Less or dd’s DISCOUNTS Store.
Use the Ross Dress for Less locator and the dd’s DISCOUNTS locator to see if your organization qualifies.Eligible Programs:Academic Achievement
Programs that build a foundation of academic competence that will help young people succeed in a competitive workforce. These include:LiteracySTEMWriting SkillsTutoringPre-school/Head StartGED programsStay-in-school effortsCollege readiness Life SkillsPrograms that build confidence and character in young people. These include:MentoringFinancial literacyAfter-school programsSoft skillsCareer readiness/job skills

Ineligibility

Organization must have not received a donation from Ross (Ross Stores Foundation, Ross Stores, Inc., or dd’s DISCOUNTS) within the past 12 months.
Organization must not discriminate against any category protected by federal, state, or local laws in who is served and hired.We do not accept applications by phone, mail, email, or fax.While we understand that there is a great need across our communities, in order to deliver the greatest impact on our philanthropic mission, Ross Stores will not support programs outside of our focus areas. Ineligible programs include, but are not limited to:Event sponsorship (including sober graduation parties, prom/school dances, galas, walkathons, raffles, auctions, golf outings, benefits, conferences, etc.)Sports programs (including booster clubs)Medical and health programsSocial servicesAnimal welfare programsFine arts programsCamps/retreatsReligious-focused programs that aren’t open to the general community