Ross Stores Foundation - Store-Based Giving Program is sponsored by Ross Stores Foundation. Provides gift cards to local nonprofit organizations to purchase professional or school clothing for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth within 25 miles of a Ross Dress for Less store.

Store-Based Giving Guidelines | Giving Guidelines | Ross Stores, Inc. Store-Based Giving Guidelines Through the Store-Based Giving Program, Ross helps young people in our communities dress for a bright future. We proudly support nonprofit organizations that help socioeconomically disadvantaged youth with academic achievement and/or building important life skills, like financial literacy and career readiness.

Our support through this program comes in the form of gift cards to our Ross Dress for Less or dd’s DISCOUNTS Stores. The gift cards must be used to purchase school or professional clothing/accessories for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Other uses of the gift cards are not supported or allowed.

Please note that award amounts will depend on available budget and alignment with our mission; however, the gift cards are usually valued between $300-$500. Prior to submitting an application, please ensure your organization meets ALL of the following criteria. Applications from organizations that do not meet all of the listed requirements will be automatically declined.

Organization must be a federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, school, or government program. Organization must offer academic achievement and/or life skills programs on an ongoing basis (i.e., not a one-off event) for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth (ages 3-24). Refer to the lists of eligible and ineligible programs included on this page.

Requests for one-time giveaway or fundraising events will not be considered. Organization must serve at least 60% of youth from low-income families. Organization must serve a community within 25 miles of a Ross Dress for Less or dd’s DISCOUNTS Store.

Use the Ross Dress for Less locator and the dd’s DISCOUNTS locator to see if your organization qualifies. Organization must have not received a donation from Ross (Ross Stores Foundation, Ross Stores, Inc., or dd’s DISCOUNTS) within the past 12 months. Organization must not discriminate against any category protected by federal, state, or local laws in who is served and hired.

Refer to our EEO statement: https://corp.rossstores. com/eeo/ . Due to the volume of requests we receive, we are unable to honor all requests and provide guidance on why your organization was not selected for a donation.

We do not accept applications by phone, mail, email, or fax. Applications are accepted during established application cycles . During an application cycle, all eligible and interested organizations must take our eligibility quiz and, if eligible, submit an application through our online portal by the deadline for the submission period.

To get started, take the eligibility quiz . Upcoming Application Cycles: January 19 – March 20, 2026 July 20 – September 18, 2026 Programs that build a foundation of academic competence that will help young people succeed in a competitive workforce. These include: Programs that build confidence and character in young people.

These include: Career readiness/job skills While we understand that there is a great need across our communities, in order to deliver the greatest impact on our philanthropic mission, Ross Stores will not support programs outside of our focus areas.

Ineligible programs include, but are not limited to: Event sponsorship (including sober graduation parties, prom/school dances, galas, walkathons, raffles, auctions, golf outings, benefits, conferences, etc.) Sports programs (including booster clubs) Medical and health programs Religious-focused programs that aren’t open to the general community