Efforts to Aid Charities Included in Forbes’ Best-Ever Social-Media Campaigns

A social-media campaign by the retailer Target was one of two charitable efforts that won a spot on a new list of top 20 social-media campaigns compiled by Forbes magazine.

Over two weeks, visitors to Target’s Facebook page were allowed to vote on which of 10 charities would receive the biggest portion of $3-million Target had decided to give.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was the winner, garnering more than 26 percent of the votes from more than 166,000 of Target’s Facebook fans and leading Target to give more than $797,000 to the nonprofit research hospital.

The other charitable effort to make the Forbes list was Pepsi Refresh, an effort started by the beverage company this year. It gives online voters a chance to determine how the company gives away millions of dollars annually.

As social-media efforts involving nonprofits continue to grow, The Chronicle is offering a way to keep up with the techniques that work the best. Join us on Thursday, October 28, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern time, for a Webinar featuring four charity leaders who have raised large sums using social media—and learn how you can do the same.