The Salvation Army Wins $391,258 in the Target Bullseye Gives Campaign on Facebook
38,004 Votes Cast for The Salvation Army to Win Portion of $3 Million Prize
Alexandria, VA – Today, The Salvation Army was awarded $391,258 from Target as part of the company’s first-ever giving campaign on Facebook®, Bullseye Gives. From May 10 through May 25, The Salvation Army’s fans on Facebook, constituents, donors and supporters rallied together and voted for the organization to win 13 percent of a $3 million charitable donation.
“Target has always shown remarkable support to The Salvation Army and the nonprofit sector, and we are extremely honored to receive this gift from Target through the Bullseye Gives campaign,” said Major Deborah Sjogren, The Salvation Army’s national liaison for public policy. “This generous contribution will allow The Salvation Army to continue revitalizing and developing numerous community libraries in cities in which The Salvation Army serves across the country.”
The Salvation Army’s portion of Target’s donation will be used to build or revamp libraries and media centers or other educational Salvation Army facilities in the United States. It will greatly improve the design elements of centers and will help provide new furniture, shelving, books, computers and carpet, among other needs. This gift could not have come at a better time. Many centers are currently under construction and are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. They will provide updated educational outlets and after-school care for kids in the community as well as job training, resume assistance and other much-needed educational resources for adults impacted by the current economic circumstances.
The gift comes on the heels of a $1-million grant Target gave to The Salvation Army to revitalize the organization’s libraries, media centers and educational facilities for children across the country. Each of The Salvation Army’s 40 divisions chose one location to receive a $25,000 grant for design elements, furniture, shelving, books, computers and carpet. Target partnered with Chris and Malaak Rock and 250 Brooklyn children and staff from The Salvation Army Bushwick Community Center to celebrate the announcement of the grant, as well as the opening of the Center’s revitalized library that was made possible by a separate Target grant from 2007.
With 291,399 total votes tallied, Target will donate a portion of the $3 million amount to each charity based on their percentage of votes, which includes:
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – 77,427 votes (26.6%) = $797,123
- American Red Cross – 77,118 votes (26.5%) = $793,942
- The Salvation Army – 38,004 votes (13%) = $391,258
- Operation Gratitude – 22,627 votes (7.8%) = $232,948
- Breast Cancer Research Foundation – 19,264 votes (6.6%) = $198,326
- Feeding America – 15,574 votes (5.3%) = $160,336
- HandsOn Network/Points of Light Institute – 11,378 votes (4.0%) = $120,845
- Parent Teacher Association – 10,904 votes (3.7%) = $112,259
- National Park Foundation – 9553 votes (3.3%) = $98,350
- Kids In Need Foundation – 9,190 votes (3.2%) = $94,613
“We’re grateful to the online community for their passionate response to Bullseye Gives and their willingness to share personal stories about why these charities are important to them. We’re excited that all ten amazing charities will receive a generous donation, as well as increased awareness through social networking platforms,” said Laysha Ward, president of community relations, Target. “The voices of the online community reinforce that giving to those who need it most is a nationwide priority. We encourage the more than 167,000 voters to continue their support of these organizations or other worthy causes.”
Throughout the two-week campaign, Bullseye Gives generated incredible participation and results, including:
- Over 291,000 total votes were tallied
- Target Facebook Page experienced a 3,000% surge in wall posts, with more than 3,000 personal stories shared throughout the campaign*
- More than 167,000 fans on Facebook voted for the charity of their choice
- Most votes occurred during 12-3pm PST
- Salvation Army USA Facebook page launched in conjunction with this campaign, and drew more than 5,000 followers, and roughly 150 personal stories, throughout the campaign.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 83 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,699 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices.
Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.
Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.
* As of May 22, 2009