Target giving gets help from Facebook fans

MINNEAPOLIS Target is applying social networking to its philanthropic efforts, by asking its Facebook fans to help it decide each week which charities will get a portion of $3 million.

The retailer has launched Bullseye Gives, a two-week-long giving campaign on its Facebook page that will run from May 10 through May 25. Target is asking all Facebook members to visit facebook.com/Target and decide how 10 national charities will receive a portion of Target's $3 million in weekly charitable giving.

The charities include American Red Cross, National Park Foundation, Operation Gratitude, Feeding America, Parent Teacher Association, HandsOn Network/Points of Light, St. Jude Children's Research Institute Hospital, Kids In Need Foundation and The Salvation Army

The percentage of votes per charitable organization will correlate to the charities' portion of the $3 million. All votes and dollars allocated will be updated in real time on the Target Facebook Page at facebook.com/Target throughout the course of the contest. Site visitors can vote once per day, every day, throughout the contest. The final charitable donation allocations per charity will be announced on May 26.

As an additional service to participants through Bullseye Gives, Target will also help to connect voters with service and volunteer opportunities in their local communities. Through its partnership with VolunteerMatch, an organization that offers an array of programs to support community and civic service 365 days a year, voters will be able to find local causes that matter to them most.

"At Target, our reputation is built on our legacy of giving, and Bullseye Gives is an incredible opportunity for us to continue to engage Target guests and the online community," said Laysha Ward, president of community relations for Target. "This is a unique way to help raise awareness of the important work these deserving charities do and increase localized volunteerism nationwide."