On Target to donate $1M

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

A Feb. 20, 2012 photo, shows flat screen televisions at a Target store in Methuen, Mass. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Elise Amendola

Target Canada is pledging to donate $1 million to local charities through its Facebook page this holiday season as it moves to establish itself as a good neighbour ahead of next year's arrival on Canadian soil.

The campaign, running Tuesday until Dec. 9, asks Facebook users to visit its page and click to donate $100 of Target's money to one of six local charities it has selected after months of market research on the Canadian philanthropy scene.

"It's just one of the ways we will try and engage our future guests," said Derek Jenkins, senior vice-president of external relations at Target Canada.

"Being a good neighbour doesn't mean you just come in and do business."

The U.S. retail giant, set to open its first Canadian locations in the spring of 2013, plans to donate five per cent of its profits to local communities and the campaign will help it determine some of Canadians' favourite causes.

"It just shows our commitment to making sure we're involved in the community, but also the other benefit we get is we get to find out what's really important to our Canadian guests," Jenkins said.

The information will help Target to draft its giving strategy for Canada, along with the research it has already been doing, which helped to determine the areas of concentration for the current campaign, exercise, nutrition, arts and education.

Participating partners in the program include ArtsSmarts, ArtStarts, various YMCAs in Canada, Food Banks Canada, First Book Canada and Pathways to Education.

Users can select not only the charity of their choice, but the province to which they want the money directed and can return to donate once every 24 hours.

Target will continue the campaign until the $1 million is donated, or just before midnight on Dec. 9, whichever comes first.

Click here to donate Target money.