• July 27, 2012

Target, which has long made donations to local schools as part of its cause-related marketing efforts, says it plans to donate $5 million this fall, with half of that pegged to votes through its Facebook page. The Minneapolis-based retailer says it will give $2.5 million to needy schools, and that it will announce the 100 schools next month. (Four of the selected schools will also get a visit from Disney Channel actress Bridgit Mendler.)

And it plans to link $2.5 million in donations to schools that generate the most votes: For every 25 votes a school gets through Target’s Facebook app, the company says it will donate a $25 Target gift card, with a maximum donation of $10,000 per school. Voting runs through Sept. 8.