Fact Sheet

Back-to-School 2026: Target Partners with Local Organizations to Prepare Students for the School Year

  • Updated 6:00pm CT | Jul 14, 2026

As families prepare for a new school year, Target is partnering with local nonprofit organizations to host back-to-school shopping events in 20 communities across the United States connecting students with the supplies and essentials they need to start the school year with confidence and style.

As the daughter of an educator, I know how much it matters for a student to begin the school year feeling prepared and ready to learn. In partnership with local nonprofits, Target is connecting families with the essentials they need. It’s one more way we’re strengthening our communities and fueling growth and opportunity for all.

Kiera Fernandez Executive Vice President and Chief Community and Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Target

What students receive

Each participating student receives: 

  • A $100 Target gift card for back-to-school essentials 
  • A Target water bottle 
  • Snacks 
  • A Champion backpack 
  • Yoobi school supplies  

Community partnerships

Target is working alongside local nonprofit organizations in cities nationwide to connect students and families with back-to-school resources. 

Participating communities

Back-to-school shopping events will take place throughout July and August in: 

  • Atlanta - July 14 
  • Honolulu – July 22 
  • Phoenix – July 23 
  • Vegas – July 27 
  • Boston – July 29 
  • Houston – July 29 
  • Austin – Aug. 3 
  • Riverside, CA – Aug. 4 
  • Miami – Aug. 4 
  • Columbus, OH – Aug. 5 
  • Los Angeles – Aug. 5 
  • Chicago – Aug. 11 
  • Milwaukee – Aug. 11 
  • Charlotte – Aug. 12 
  • Denver – Aug. 12 
  • Fuquay Varina, NC – Aug. 12 
  • Washington, DC – Aug. 12 
  • Philadelphia – Aug. 13 
  • Baltimore – Aug. 19 
  • New York City – Aug. 25 

Supporting students and communities

These shopping events are one example of how Target invests in communities through philanthropy, team member volunteerism and trusted nonprofit partnerships, supporting the company’s annual goal of one million volunteer hours and building on our long-standing commitment to giving 5% of its profits to communities in products, cash and through the Target Foundation.* 

Learn more

Explore Target’s full Back-to-School and Back-to-College assortment, trends and offerings.  

*Calculated based on the average of the prior three years of Target’s pre-tax profits. Giving includes Target’s product and cash donations and Target Foundation cash donations. Excludes cash donations from Target to the Target Foundation.  

Dates of shopping events are subject to change.