Deluxe, General Mills Honored by United Way of America

Three Minnesota companies - General Mills, Inc., Deluxe Corporation and Ceridian Corporation - are among the five recipients nationwide of the United Way of America's coveted Summit Awards for 2004. The awards are a component of United Way's Spirit of America (r) Awards (SOA) program, which recognizes a company's outstanding commitment to improving lives in local communities.

UWA recognized General Mills, Minneapolis, as an award recipient in the Employee Community Investment and Community Leadership categories. "General Mills' philanthropic vision begins with its desire to be a catalyst for community progress," said UWA president Brian Gallagher. "This award recognizes the commitment and dedication of thousands of General Mills employees who are helping America's communities address critical issues."

In fiscal year 2003, General Mills awarded $77 million to communities across the country, which represents more than 5 percent of the company's pretax profits. Of that amount, General Mills Foundation awarded a total of $20 million in grants in the targeted areas of youth nutrition and fitness, family life, education, and arts and culture.

The company is also committed to supporting in-kind program initiatives. Last year, General Mills donated $23 million worth of food to people in need through America's Second Harvest.

"Our longtime partnership with United Way reflects the fact that good corporate citizenship is at the heart of everything we do at General Mills," said Chris Shea, president of the General Mills Foundation and senior vice president of General Mills, Inc.

UWA recognized Deluxe Corporation, St. Paul, as an award recipient in the Community Leadership category. Inspired by chairman and CEO Lawrence Mosner, Deluxe has initiated a leadership giving program that engages employees at various staff levels throughout the company. Over the past two years, Deluxe employees increased their number of United Way leadership givers by 110 percent, from 46 to 97 individuals who donate $1,000 or more. In 2003, Deluxe increased its leadership givers another 16 percent, bringing the total of leadership givers in the company to more than 100 individuals. In addition to its leadership giving program, Deluxe employees exemplify the value of partnering with United Way through their participation in off-site programs and special events, such as United Way Day of Caring.

"For more than 50 years, Deluxe employees and their families have engaged in a committed and focused effort to make a measurable difference in their communities," said Gallagher. "Working in partnership with United Way, Deluxe is making a real impact to address on critical issues in our communities."

Minneapolis-based Ceridian Corporation was a Summit Award recipient in the Employee Community Investment category. In support of its commitment to community impact, Ceridian provided a 50 percent match on every dollar donated during its United Way campaign, increasing total employee dollars pledged by 48 percent. The 2003 campaign resulted in a Ceridian match of more than $200,000.

United Way of America also presented Summit Awards to Eli Lilly and Company and Pfizer Inc. The organization's 17th Spirit of America Award - its highest honor for a company's outstanding commitment to local communities - went to Valero Energy Corporation.

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