Today, Target Corp. (NYSE:TGT) announced 25 schools that will receive a $25,000 grant as part of the company’s “Give With Target” initiative. The schools were revealed in conjunction with a surprise celebration hosted today by Disney Channel actress and Hollywood Records recording artist Bridgit Mendler and Target team member volunteers at J. P. Kelley Elementary School.

Give With Target is a two-part giving campaign aimed at helping schools across the country just in time for the new school year. Target will provide $2.5 million in grants to 100 in-need schools, as well as up to $2.5 million in Target GiftCards to local schools that receive votes on Target’s Facebook page.

“I’m so excited to kick off the Give With Target school celebrations this week,” said Bridgit Mendler. “It’s going to be so much fun traveling from city to city celebrating the $25,000 grants to in-need schools with Target, just in time for the new school year.”

The 100 in-need schools will be announced throughout August. Today’s announcement marks the first set of 25 schools being announced and the first surprise celebration with celebrity spokesperson Bridgit Mendler.

“Target wants teachers and students nationwide to have the resources they need to help kids succeed in the classroom,” said Laysha Ward, president of community relations, Target. “With Target’s $5 million donation to schools, we stand by our commitment to help put more children on the path to graduation.”

As a secondary component to the Give With Target initiative, Target is giving up to $2.5 million in Target GiftCards to schools nominated by consumers on Target’s Facebook page. For every 25 votes a school receives through Target’s Facebook application on Facebook.com/Target, the company will donate a $25 Target GiftCard, with a maximum donation of $10,000 per school. Parents, students and teachers are encouraged to vote weekly from July 26 to September 8.

Give With Target is part of Target’s commitment to education. As a result of programs like this, Target is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,772 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company plans to open its first stores in Canada in 2013. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.