At Ross Dress for Less, we believe in investing in the future, and that future lies with the young people in our communities. Through our Store-Based Giving Program, Rossdressforless Com Store is proud to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Our mission is to empower these young individuals to dress for a bright future by providing them with the resources they need to succeed academically and in life.
We focus our support on programs that foster academic achievement and build essential life skills. These skills include financial literacy and career readiness, equipping young people with the tools to navigate their paths to success. Our commitment takes the tangible form of gift cards to our Ross Dress for Less and dd’s DISCOUNTS stores. These gift cards are specifically intended for the purchase of school or professional clothing and accessories for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. It is important to note that the gift cards are restricted to these specific uses, ensuring that our donations directly benefit the young people we aim to serve. Award amounts vary based on budget availability and alignment with our mission, but typically range from $300 to $500 in gift card value.
Eligibility Requirements for the Ross Dress for Less Store Giving Program
To ensure that our Store-Based Giving Program effectively reaches and supports deserving organizations, we have established clear eligibility criteria. Organizations applying for gift card donations from rossdressforless com store must meet ALL of the following requirements. Applications that do not meet these criteria will be automatically declined. We encourage all interested organizations to carefully review these requirements before applying.
- Tax-Exempt Status: Applicants must be a federally recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, a school, or a government program. This ensures that we are partnering with legitimate entities dedicated to public service.
- Ongoing Youth Programs: The organization must provide academic achievement and/or life skills programs on an ongoing basis. This program is designed to support sustained efforts, not one-time events. We focus on initiatives that offer continuous support and development for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth aged 3-24. Please refer to the lists of eligible and ineligible programs detailed further below to confirm your program’s alignment. Requests for single-event giveaways or fundraising activities will not be considered.
- Service to Low-Income Youth: A significant portion of the youth served by the organization must come from low-income families. Specifically, the organization must serve at least 60% of youth from low-income households. This ensures that our resources are directed towards those most in need.
- Geographic Proximity to a Store: The organization must serve a community located within 25 miles of a Ross Dress for Less or dd’s DISCOUNTS store. This local focus allows our stores to build relationships within their immediate communities and directly impact youth in their vicinity. To find the nearest store, please visit the rossdressforless com store locator.
- No Recent Donations: To extend our reach and support a wider range of organizations, we require that the applicant organization has not received a donation from Ross (Ross Stores Foundation, Ross Stores, Inc., or dd’s DISCOUNTS) within the 12 months prior to application.
- Non-Discrimination Policy: The organization must uphold a non-discriminatory policy, ensuring equal opportunity in both service provision and hiring practices. Organizations must not discriminate against any category protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive for our Store-Based Giving Program, we regret that we are unable to fulfill every request. Furthermore, we are unable to provide individual feedback regarding declined applications. We appreciate your understanding in this matter. Please note that we do not accept applications via phone, mail, email, or fax. All applications must be submitted through our online portal during the designated application cycles.
How to Apply for Ross Dress for Less Gift Card Donations
Applying for the Store-Based Giving Program at rossdressforless com store is a straightforward process conducted online during specific application cycles. Interested and eligible organizations must complete an eligibility quiz to begin. Upon successful completion of the quiz, eligible organizations can access and submit the full application through our online portal before the cycle deadline.
To start the process, please take the eligibility quiz.
Upcoming Application Cycles for 2025:
- February 17 – April 9, 2025
- April 28 – June 27, 2025
- August 11 – October 10, 2025
Please ensure your application is submitted within these dates to be considered for the current cycle. We encourage organizations to plan ahead and apply during the cycle that best aligns with their program needs.
Eligible Programs for Store-Based Giving
The Ross Dress for Less Store-Based Giving Program prioritizes support for programs focused on two key areas: Academic Achievement and Life Skills. We believe these areas are crucial for the holistic development of young people and their future success. Below are examples of eligible program types within each category.
| Academic Achievement Programs Programs designed to build a strong foundation of academic competence, empowering young people to thrive in a competitive workforce. These include: | Life Skills Programs Programs aimed at fostering confidence and character development in young people, equipping them with essential skills for life success. These include: |
|---|---|
| – Literacy Programs | – Mentoring Programs |
| – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Programs | – Financial Literacy Programs |
| – Writing Skills Development | – After-School Programs (that incorporate life skills development) |
| – Tutoring Services | – Soft Skills Training |
| – Pre-school and Head Start Programs | – Career Readiness and Job Skills Programs |
| – GED (General Educational Development) Programs | |
| – Stay-in-School Initiatives | |
| – College Readiness Programs |
Ineligible Programs for Store-Based Giving
While Ross Dress for Less and rossdressforless com store recognize the vast needs within our communities, to maximize the impact of our philanthropic efforts and remain focused on our mission, we are unable to support programs that fall outside of our designated focus areas. Ineligible programs include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
- Event Sponsorships: This includes sponsorships for sober graduation parties, prom and school dances, galas, walkathons, raffles, auctions, golf outings, benefits, conferences, and similar events.
- Sports Programs: Including sports teams and booster clubs.
- Medical and Health Programs: Programs focused on physical or mental health and medical services.
- Social Services: General social service programs not specifically focused on academic achievement or life skills for youth.
- Animal Welfare Programs: Programs dedicated to animal care and welfare.
- Fine Arts Programs: Programs centered on visual arts, performing arts, music, etc.
- Camps and Retreats: Including summer camps, overnight retreats, and similar programs.
- Religious-Focused Programs: Programs that are primarily religious in nature and not open to the general community regardless of religious affiliation.
We appreciate your interest in partnering with Ross Dress for Less and rossdressforless com store to support youth in our communities. We encourage eligible organizations to apply for the Store-Based Giving Program and help us in our mission to empower young people to dress for a bright future.
