The Principal Financial Group Pledges Record $6.7 Million to United Way

Launches new United Way Ambassadors program

The Principal Financial Group Pledges Record $6.7 Million to United Way (Photo: Principal Financial)

DES MOINES, Iowa--()--During a Giving Tuesday celebration, the Principal Financial Group® announced a record level of support for the annual United Way campaign – surpassing $6.7 million for the nonprofit organization. The total includes $3.38 million in pledges contributed by over 7,200 of the company’s United States employees, agents and retirees. The total also includes the dollar-for-dollar match from The Principal Financial Group Foundation.

“I’m moved by the generosity of our employees and their commitment to helping those in need.” says Larry Zimpleman, chairman, president and CEO of The Principal. “Even more striking is the fact that this generosity does not end after our three week campaign concludes. It continues year-round through our employee’s advocacy and volunteering efforts.”

A total of $4.8 million will be donated to United Way of Central Iowa and an additional $1.9 million will be given to United Way organizations across the country where The Principal employees live and work. The record-setting campaign is the highest level of United Way contributions from this organization since 2008. The Principal is the largest corporate donor to United Way of Central Iowa, Des Moines, also home to the company’s corporate headquarters.

The Principal also launched a new United Way initiative during the 2013 United Way campaign, “The United Way Ambassador Program at The Principal.” More than 700 employees across the nation signed up to be a part of this unique program. Ambassadors signed a pledge to give back to their communities and be an advocate year-round for United Way.

“The Principal Financial Group and its employees are the cornerstone of the success of United Way of Central Iowa, and other communities across the country. In central Iowa, their financial support, volunteer service and advocacy for important issues are the reason our community is able to make strong progress toward community goals in education, income and health,” says United Way of Central Iowa President Mary Sellers.

Over 80 nationally and 70 Central Iowa employees of The Principal are members of United Way’s Tocqueville Society, recognizing individuals and families who annually contribute $10,000 or more to United Way. And over 220 joined United Way Women’s Leadership Connection and Education Leadership Initiative.

Fifty employees of The Principal serve on United Way’s board of directors or other policy-making committees.

The Principal is a past recipient of both the Spirit of America and Spirit of Central Iowa awards, the highest annual honor given to a single company for their overall community support through United Way.

United Way of Central Iowa will announce its overall campaign results in mid-January.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA
United Way of Central Iowa’s mission is to improve lives by uniting the caring power of our community. United Way creates lasting community change by focusing on bold community goals in education, income and health, the building blocks for a good quality of life. For nine consecutive years, United Way of Central Iowa has earned a 4 Star rating (the highest rating given) by Charity Navigator, which means United Way outperforms 99% of the nation’s charities in financial accountability and responsibility. To learn more about United Way of Central Iowa, please visit www.unitedwaydm.org.

About the Principal Financial Group
The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal®)1 is a global investment management leader offering retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement, asset management and insurance through its diverse family of financial services companies. Founded in 1879 and a member of the FORTUNE 500®, the Principal Financial Group has $466.2 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 19.0 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.

1 “The Principal Financial Group” and “The Principal” are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

2 As of Sept. 30, 2013.

Contacts

United Way of Central Iowa
Donavan Honnold, 515-246-6520
Mobile: 515-249-1395
dhonnold@unitedwaydm.org

Contacts

United Way of Central Iowa
Donavan Honnold, 515-246-6520
Mobile: 515-249-1395
dhonnold@unitedwaydm.org