Community Initiatives

Charitable Giving by TJX Divisions

In addition to the numerous causes supported by The TJX Foundation and Associates throughout TJX, our divisions dedicate substantial effort to causes that fit within our corporate philanthropic mission, which is focused on charities that help children, women and families, aid education, assist the disadvantaged, and help to prevent domestic violence in communities in which we do business.

In the U.S.

T.J. Maxx continues its strong support of Save the Children, an organization that has more than 75 years of service to children and families. In 2008, T.J. Maxx conducted a successful awareness and fundraising campaign called Happy Hearts, in addition to sponsoring more than 900 children in need. T.J. Maxx also supports Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to research in the causes, treatment and prevention of autism and the Joslin Diabetes Center, the world's largest diabetes research center, diabetes clinic and provider of diabetes education through in-store fundraising and awareness campaigns.

Marshalls is an avid supporter of organizations that work to prevent violence within the home and in the community. In 2008, Marshalls sponsored Shop 'til It Stops and other in-store initiatives to raise awareness of domestic violence. Marshalls also is a key supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Again in 2008, Marshalls sold "Paper Sneakers" as part of an in-store campaign to raise funds and awareness in support of JDRF walks. In addition, Marshalls continued its support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the pediatric and research hospital dedicated to treating children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, with a store fundraising campaign called High Hopes Fund.

HomeGoods supports charitable organizations that help children and families, as well as those working to prevent domestic violence, such as the Family Violence Prevention Fund. In addition, HomeGoods partners with the Jimmy Fund, a division of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to raise funds for the research and treatment of children's cancers. HomeGoods sponsors an in-store campaign to support the Jimmy Fund and HomeGoods Associates also participate in Jimmy Fund walks.

A.J. Wright supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of America at the national level and locally through in-store campaigns. Also, A.J. Wright donates to the local Boys & Girls Club when it opens a new store. Through its support of the Boys & Girls Clubs, A.J. Wright helps give children a safe place to play and be kids. Further, A.J. Wright strives to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families through its support of various other programs.

In Canada

Winners, HomeSense and STYLESENSE support the Canadian Women's Foundation, an organization whose mission is to help stop violence against women and to help women and children become economically independent. In addition, they support Ovarian Cancer Canada which is dedicated to providing hope for women and their families fighting ovarian cancer. Our Canadian businesses also continued their support of The Sunshine Foundation: Dreams for Kids.

In Europe

T.K. Maxx has a longstanding relationship with Action for Children (formerly NCH), a national children's charity that works with some of the most disadvantaged children in the U.K. Also, since 2004, T.K. Maxx has partnered with Cancer Research UK, the world's leading charity dedicated to research into the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer, with the GiveGet campaign. GiveGet is the U.K.'s biggest charity clothing and homeware collection, which asks people to donate their unwanted clothes and household items to help beat childhood cancers. T.K. Maxx is also a major supporter of Comic Relief, an organization committed to helping people suffering poverty or social injustice in the U.K. and Africa, and this year, held its most successful campaign for this organization. HomeSense U.K. supports Emmaus, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people who are homeless.

Community Relations

As a Neighbor of Choice, the mission of TJX Community Relations is to help TJX sustain its commitment to corporate social responsibility and make a positive impact in the communities in which we do business. TJX considers every neighborhood in which we do business as our community. As such, we endeavor to enrich the lives of both our Associates who live and work in these communities as well as our widely diverse neighbors. We build and maintain relationships and develop outreach programs that support or enhance our communities in order to contribute to TJX's business goals. To accomplish this, we partner with a host of local and national affiliates including charities and nonprofits, schools and educational initiatives, professional and cultural organizations, and our customers.

Community Relief Efforts

In addition to our focus on children, our giving extends to the community at large. Through our support of the American Red Cross, TJX has provided funding for a variety of relief efforts, including the American Red Cross' Massachusetts Food Pantry. TJX also supports the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund which assists individuals and families whose lives have been struck by natural disaster. In 2008, as a member of the Red Cross' Annual Disaster Giving Program, we contributed to services that helped flooding victims in Iowa, as well as the victims of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. In addition, this past year, nearly 30,000 Associates contributed to the United Way.

Our Associates also donated their time and efforts to other charitable causes throughout the year and we continue to explore ways in which to increase our volunteerism.

Welfare-to-Work Program

TJX has been a trailblazer and leader in the national Welfare-to-Work Program. As of 2008's year-end, we've hired 82,000 individuals through this program since 1997. Our program has been extremely successful and we have set the bar for other corporations to follow in establishing their own Welfare-to-Work programs. In addition to hiring individuals from the welfare rolls, through TJX Workforce Initiatives, the Company has succeeded in creating programs to help these individuals make the difficult transition between receiving public assistance and entering the workforce. Through our TJXtra!® program, we raise awareness among Associates about helpful government benefits. Further, TJX has partnered with many community-based groups, including workforce development agencies to help attract qualified job applicants.

TJX takes pride in our community efforts and is equally proud of our successes in this regard due to the hard work and dedication of our Associates. Integrity and treating people with dignity and respect and fairness are at the core of TJX’s values. By being true to who we are and the communities we serve, TJX is able to add great value to the lives of those in the communities all around us.

Photo credit: Save the Children/Susan Warner