Altria Companies’ Employee Fund Donates $3.1 Million to Nonprofits

Employee Community Fund is a One-of-a-Kind Workplace-Giving Program Among U.S. Companies

ACECF Makes a Big Impact in Altria's Operating Communities

RICHMOND, Va.--()--The Altria Companies Employee Community Fund (ACECF) awarded $3.1 million in grants to 142 non-profit organizations based in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois and Kentucky. The fund is the only employee-managed workplace-giving program that is publicly reported among U.S. companies, according to the Changing Our World organization. ACECF represents the power of giving together, rather than individually. By giving through the fund, employee donations have a greater impact in helping to address the most pressing community needs where Altria’s companies have operations.

“About 3,500, or two-thirds of eligible employees, gave an average donation of more than $450 to ACECF this year,” said Jennifer Hunter, Chairperson, ACECF Board of Directors and Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Altria Client Services. “We are proud of these accomplishments, and the collective impact that our employees are making in the communities where we live and work.”

In Richmond, Va., Altria’s headquarters community, ACECF donated $2.45 million to support 88 organizations. ACECF also awarded 14 grants totaling $125,000 in Illinois; seven grants totaling $55,000 in Kentucky; 16 grants totaling $220,000 in Pennsylvania; and 17 grants totaling $250,000 in Tennessee. Throughout the past 14 years, ACECF has awarded 1,594 grants totaling $43.1 million to non-profit organizations. ACECF’s areas of giving for 2014 include Domestic Violence, Emergency Services, Homelessness, Hunger Relief, Senior Services (including Adults with Disabilities) and Youth Services (including Youth with Disabilities).

“It’s rewarding to be a part of something that pulls us together as employees to help strengthen our communities,” said Russell Ransom, ACECF Grantmaking Committee Chair. “Making decisions about how to contribute millions of dollars to deserving nonprofits is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and shows the impact of the fund in our community.”

This year marks ACECF’s fourth year in Altria’s operating communities of Franklin Park, Ill.; Hopkinsville, Ky.; Limerick and King of Prussia, Pa.; and Nashville, Tenn.; and its 14th year in its Richmond, Va. headquarters community.

ACECF was founded in 2000 because employees wanted to be more actively involved in helping their local communities. Formerly the Philip Morris Employee Community Fund, the program expanded after Altria’s headquarters moved to Richmond, Va. In each community where Altria’s companies operate, its employees select the grant categories, solicit donations, manage grant-making decisions and award grants. Altria Group makes an annual contribution to the fund and pays for its administrative costs. This ensures that every employee dollar raised goes directly to support non-profit organizations in our local communities.

To learn more about the ACECF, please visit altria.com/acecf.

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Contacts

Altria Client Services Media Relations
804-484-8897

Contacts

Altria Client Services Media Relations
804-484-8897