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Community Involvement Program Guidelines

We believe that the well-being of our communities has a direct bearing on the success of Hallmark and our employees.

The mission of our Community Involvement Program is simple. We want to help create communities where:

  • All children have the chance to grow up as healthy, productive and caring persons;
  • Vibrant arts and cultural experiences enrich the lives of all citizens;
  • There is a strong infrastructure of basic institutions and services, especially for persons in need; and
  • All citizens feel a responsibility to serve their community.

Organizations that serve the communities where we operate facilities and that share this same mission may apply for support from Hallmark. Cash contributions are provided by both Hallmark Cards, Inc., and the Hallmark Corporate Foundation, an endowed foundation funded solely by Hallmark. Although there are some legal restrictions on how funds from the Hallmark Corporate Foundation may be used, the Foundation supports the same mission and employs the same online application process.

With limited resources, we pursue our mission only in communities where we have major operating facilities:

  • Kansas City metropolitan area
  • Center, Texas
  • Lawrence, Kansas
  • Leavenworth, Kansas
  • Liberty, Missouri
  • Metamora, Illinois

Before beginning the application process…

Please note the following restrictions on who and what we will support, and our preferences when reviewing requests. To be eligible for funding or in-kind donations, organizations must meet Hallmark funding guidelines and have a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax status. Consequently, Hallmark is not able to provide support for the following groups:

  • Individuals, for any purpose including travel, starting a business, or paying back loans.
  • Religious organizations, unless they can demonstrate that services are provided to the community-at-large and funds are separated from religious purposes.
  • Fraternal or international organizations.
  • Sports teams and athletic organizations.
  • Individual youth clubs, troops, groups or school classrooms.
  • Social clubs.
  • Disease-specific organizations whose local chapters primarily raise funds for national research.

All non-profit organizations receiving support from Hallmark or the Hallmark Corporate Foundation must not discriminate in employment practices or delivery of goods and services, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, pregnancy, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any legally protected status.

Organizations otherwise eligible for consideration generally will not be funded for:

  • Past operating deficits.
  • Endowment or foundation funds.
  • Travel and conferences.
  • Scholarly or health-related research.
  • Scholarship funds.

Additional Guidelines

  • We prefer to provide funds directly to an organization for programmatic purposes rather than participate in a fundraising event.
  • Hallmark does not engage in sponsorship or marketing opportunities with nonprofit organizations where promotion of the corporate name and identity to potential consumers is of primary consideration.
  • We do not fund any proposals for film, television or radio programs.
  • Retail merchandise from the Halls department store in Kansas City is not normally available for charitable donation.