Target Donates $50,000 to Support Oil-Spill Cleanup Efforts

MINNEAPOLIS - Target Corp. announced that it will donate $50,000 to the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund. The funds will be used to protect and rescue wildlife and habitats impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and restore fragile nesting and breeding grounds damaged by oil infiltration.

“Since we opened our first store in 1962, Target has invested in the health and sustainability of our communities,” said Anthony Heredia, Target’s VP of corporate risk and responsibility. ”We are grateful for the tremendous work being done by the National Wildlife Federation and other non-profit organizations in response to this disaster, and we will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance as needed"

The donation is also part of Target’s commitment to giving 5 percent of its income—more than $3 million every week—to the communities it serves, adds Laysha Ward, president of Target community relations and Target Foundation. “Target is committed to funding programs that provide disaster relief to communities in need,” she said. “Through our donation to the National Wildlife Federation, we hope to help protect the precious coastal resources and wildlife threatened by this crisis and preserve them for the next generation.”

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to Target for its assistance in supporting our relief efforts,” said Jaime Matyas, executive VP and chief operating officer of the National Wildlife Federation. "It is imperative that all available resources are directed to protecting and restoring the Gulf’s wildlife and habitats in response to this devastating oil spill.”

Target has long worked to minimize its environmental impact and contribute to the environmental health of its communities. In 1962, Target’s giving was directed toward urban renewal, including cleaning up rivers, waterways and revitalizing city neighborhoods. Today, Target has many programs supporting these objectives, including cleaning up blighted properties and helping to restore wetlands and natural habitats.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,740 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.

About the National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization. The organization works with more than 4 million members, partners and supporters in communities across the country to protect and restore wildlife habitat, confront global warming, and connect with nature.