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Phone number
N/A - applications accepted online only during application cycles
Category
Nonprofit
Auto tags
Eligibility
501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, or government programs serving at least 60% youth from low-income families, within 25 miles of a Ross or dd's DISCOUNTS store, with ongoing academic or life skills programs for ages 3-24
Auto Summary
Ross Stores' Store-Based Giving Program provides gift cards ($300-$500) to nonprofit organizations serving socioeconomically disadvantaged youth for purchasing school and professional clothing. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, or government programs offering ongoing academic achievement or life skills programs for youth ages 3-24.
Value
$300-$500 gift cards to Ross Dress for Less or dd's DISCOUNTS for school/professional clothing for disadvantaged youth
Espanol
No Spanish resources currently listed on giving guidelines page
URL
https://corp.rossstores.com/responsibility/giving-guidelines/store-based-giving-guidelines/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHL53NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXpZZobu7e3m1jx1SqjDvvYGNhYN9XE2zskgkWnJofa4kuidFUQWsYl4XA_aem_LBm-f83Ft9a2sPXSARo9Yw&sfnsn=mo
Status (verified 2026-05-17): Active. Next 2026 application windows: April 27 – June 26, 2026 and July 20 – September 18, 2026. Source: Ross Stores giving guidelines.

What this is

Ross Stores' Store-Based Giving Program awards $300–$500 gift cards (to Ross Dress for Less or dd's DISCOUNTS) to local nonprofits, schools, and government programs. The cards must be spent on school or professional clothing/accessories for low-income youth ages 3–24.
This is a program for organizations, not individuals. If you run a youth program in Nevada County (or anywhere within 25 miles of a Ross / dd's store), this is a low-effort grant to apply for.

Who qualifies

Your organization must meet all of these:
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit, school, or government program
  • Runs an ongoing academic or life-skills program (tutoring, literacy, STEM, mentoring, financial literacy, career readiness, after-school, GED, college prep, etc.) — not a one-off event
  • Serves youth ages 3–24, with at least 60% from low-income families
  • Has not received a Ross donation in the past 12 months
  • Does not discriminate in who it serves or hires

What they won't fund

  • Event sponsorships (galas, walkathons, prom, sober grad, golf, raffles, auctions)
  • Sports / booster clubs
  • Medical or health programs
  • General social services
  • Animal welfare, fine arts, camps/retreats
  • Religious programs that aren't open to the public

How to apply

  1. Take the eligibility quiz during an open window.
  1. If you pass, submit the application through the online portal before the deadline.
  1. Applications by phone, mail, email, or fax are not accepted.

2026 application windows

  • January 19 – March 20, 2026 (closed)
  • April 27 – June 26, 2026
  • July 20 – September 18, 2026
Cycles are announced on the giving-guidelines page; check there for any added 2026 windows or 2027 dates.