Cause Marketing/ Community Programs

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl’s Department Stores will be the exclusive department store retail partner for The Color Run, a national paint race event series. Select Kohl’s stores will serve as the packet pick-up location in more than 100 cities across the county.

Kohl’s will have a social presence at each race and will encourage participants to take and share celebratory photos with their friends and family across social accounts using #MakeYourMove.

Toys "R" Us is expanding its partnership with the Special Olympics with a whopping $1.25 million commitment toward sponsoring the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.

The Games, which will welcome 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, to Los Angeles, Calif., from July 25 to Aug. 2, is the flagship event of the Special Olympics and biggest sporting event of the year. The 2015 World Games marks the first time in 16 years that the Summer World Games have been held in the United States.

Solid Gold pet food is partnering with Petco to donate an estimated $500,000 of premium pet food to selected pet charities nationwide.

The program kicked off earlier this month at more than 1,300 Petco locations across the U.S. finalize the placement of Solid Gold's new package design.

Conn’s is launching a new philanthropic program to help improve the communities it serves by empowering children.

Conn’s Cares is the company’s first program to will galvanize every employee around a single cause at all Conn’s locations, the company said.

“Our vision is that Conn’s Cares will become an enduring investment in the children of the communities we serve,” said Theodore Wright, Conn’s chairman and CEO. “We are committed to the idea that every child should have an opportunity to succeed.”

Holiday sales in 2014 were strong, and enthusiastic shoppers helped Toys “R” Us and Ikea raise nearly $20 million for children's charities.

The Toys “R” Us annual fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was its most successful to date, raising $6.4 million and collecting more than 220,000 toys.

Walmart is supporting a trio of professional anglers on the competitive fishing circuit this year in an ongoing effort to align itself with sport that resonates with the retailer’s core customers.

The roster of talent Walmart is supporting this year includes 16 year Walmart FLW Tour veteran Mark Rose, 18 year veteran David Dudley and newcomer Nicole Jacobs.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is targeting customers in the education field with a special promotion and discount.

The fabric and craft specialty retailer will be having a Teacher Appreciation Days savings event Jan. 17-19. All qualifying teachers will be able to take advantage of significant savings on a wide variety of craft supplies and classroom decor items. Teachers will receive 25% off all purchases throughout the event.

Walgreens is launching a new national campaign highlighting how people are aging well beyond their HIV diagnosis.

The centerpiece of the campaign is a traveling art exhibit, curated in collaboration with the Graying of AIDS, an independent documentary project and educational campaign.

The exhibit provides a glimpse into the lives of older adults living with HIV and will make its first stop in Miami on Jan. 17.

Sam’s Club is taking its efforts to help and recognize small businesses to a new level with a $700,000 grant to SCORE.

The American Small Business Championship through SCORE will award 102 small businesses, two in every state and the District of Columbia, for their sacrifice and dedication to the success of their business. The Small Business Champions will receive a $1,000 Sam's Club gift card, an all-expense-paid trip to a training event, SCORE mentoring for one year, and promotion throughout the year to showcase each Champion's story.

After a successful collaboration with the NFL last year, Bloomingdale's is turning its eye to the basketball court by teaming up with the NBA for the 2015 All-Star Game.

Bloomingdale's will set up 16 basketball-inspired pop-up shops at its stores across the country and on bloomingdales.com/nba. The store will offer fans retro-era jerseys, vintage graphic T-shirts, accessories from brands like Mitchell & Ness, Sportique, #BEENTRILL#, and Stance, and a special bomber jackets designed by Mark McNairy.