Altria was recognized today as one of America’s most community-minded companies in The Civic 50, an annual survey that identifies and recognizes companies for their commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service, conducted the survey in partnership with Bloomberg LP.

Among many volunteer events in 2014, Altria's employees cleaned up the grounds of George Wythe High ...

Among many volunteer events in 2014, Altria's employees cleaned up the grounds of George Wythe High School in Richmond, VA, and built park benches for the students at John Marshall High School in Richmond, VA. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Altria and its family of companies have a deeply-rooted heritage of contributing to organizations that enrich the communities where our employees live and work,” said Jennifer Hunter, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs, Altria Client Services. “At Altria, our support for communities goes beyond just writing a check. Our employees contribute their time and talents to help our nonprofit partners serve their communities even more effectively. We are proud to be recognized as one of the Civic 50 companies.”

“Corporate civic engagement is on the rise and it’s being led by the forward-thinking businesses included on The Civic 50 list,” said Neil Bush, Chairman of Points of Light. “The correlation their efforts showcase between community engagement and employee retention, productivity and overall bottom-line benefits continues to prove that businesses that do good, do well. We congratulate this year’s Civic 50 and we hope that they continue to inspire greater investments in improving communities through corporate civic engagement.”

Of the $47 million in cash and in-kind contributions that Altria and its tobacco companies donated to charitable organizations in 2013, nearly $20 million benefited about 275 nonprofits in Virginia focused on arts and culture, the environment and Altria’s Success 360° education and youth development initiative. As part of Success 360°, Altria’s tobacco companies invest in leading national and local non-profits that serve middle school kids and their families with the full range of resources they need to succeed academically, make good decisions and avoid risky behaviors. In 2013, Altria’s companies provided nearly $3 million to support Richmond-area organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, Communities in Schools, National 4-H Council and Higher Achievement.

In addition, thousands of Altria’s employees in Virginia volunteered their time to causes including environmental sustainability, youth mentoring, humanitarian aid, and military support.

The Civic 50 survey was developed this year under the guidance of an academic panel of nine experts from leading universities throughout the country. The survey evaluates companies based on several criteria including how extensively and strategically resources are applied to community engagement, how a community engagement program supports business interests and integrates into business functions. Other criteria include how a company supports community engagement through its institutional policies, systems, and incentives, and how a company measures the social and business impact of its community engagement program. True Impact, a company specializing in helping organizations maximize and measure their social and business value, administered the survey.

The Civic 50 was created in 2012 to measure corporate civic engagement and recognizes companies that incorporate socially responsible practices and community leadership into their culture. A working group of leading researchers, industry thought leaders and corporate advisors provided strategic guidance on the program’s objectives, including defining indicators, developing methodology, and identifying partners and participants.

To learn more about The Civic 50 survey as well as the importance of civic engagement in corporate America, please visit www.Civic50.org.

About Altria — Altria Group is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company and John Middleton. Altria also owns Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Nu Mark, Philip Morris Capital Corporation and has a continuing economic and voting interest in SABMiller. The company is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

Altria’s tobacco companies provide adult tobacco consumers in the United States with premium products in the cigarette, smokeless tobacco, machine-made large cigar and e-vapor categories. Our companies' stable of strong brands, together with their ability to respond to the many changes in the tobacco industry, have resulted in sustained financial performance and strong returns for investors.

Altria is focused on setting standards and priorities for its companies, including valuing and respecting employees, working to reduce the harm associated with cigarettes and other tobacco products and partnering locally to improve the quality of life in the communities where we do business.

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