Macy’s gears up for charity shopping event

NEW YORK — Macy’s is getting ready for its eighth annual national Shop for a Cause charity shopping event, to be held Saturday, Aug. 24, and the retailer is inviting eligible charities to sign up now.

The one-day-only shopping event was created to support local charities’ fundraising efforts. Since 2006, the event has helped raise more than $46 million for thousands of charities nationwide. In 2012, more than 7,000 charities signed up to participate.

To be eligible to participate, charitable organizations must have a 501(c)3 or other recognized tax-exempt status and apply online at macys.com/shopforacause. Macy’s will then provide participating organizations with shopping passes to sell for $5 each, and each organization gets to keep 100% of the proceeds for every shopping pass that it sells.

Customers who purchase passes from participating charities will receive discounts on most regular, sale and clearance items on Aug. 24, although some exclusions apply.

Participating charities may begin selling Shop for a Cause passes now. Shopping passes will also be sold at Macy’s stores from Aug. 14 through Aug. 24. Online customers can purchase passes online on Aug. 24. The March of Dimes will receive 100% of the proceeds from all passes purchased directly from Macy’s or on macys.com.

Customers who want to purchase passes to benefit specific nonprofit organizations can search for participating charities at macys.com/shopforacause.

“Over the past eight years, Macy’s annual Shop for a Cause event has raised more than $46 million for local and national charities, providing our associates and customers an opportunity to give back to those organizations that touch their hearts each and every day,” said Martine Reardon, Macy’s CMO. “Giving back is a key component of Macy’s culture. We are honored to offer our customers an easy and convenient way to make a positive difference in their communities and in the lives of others, while enjoying great savings at Macy’s.”