Unum and its employees contributed $3 million last year to non-profit organizations in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia, part of nearly $12.7 million in total charitable support from the company in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland.
In addition, employees in Unum’s Chattanooga office volunteered 23,000 hours of time to their favorite local causes, valued at $519,033.
“We have a proud tradition of helping others and fostering partnerships with organizations that are committed to making an impact in our communities,” said Unum’s Chief Financial Officer Rick McKenney. “That commitment to social responsibility is one of Unum’s core values, and it’s rewarding to see our employees share that commitment. I’m extremely proud of their dedication and of their continued desire to make a difference in the places where we work and live.”
The company primarily focuses its charitable efforts on supporting public education initiatives that provide more opportunity for students to learn.
Graham Thomas, director of community partnerships at tnAchieves, said, “Unum was instrumental in helping tnAchieves meet its mentoring needs to work with more than 2,400 Tennessee Promise applicants in Hamilton County. 76 Unum employees volunteered their time to assist mostly low-income, first-generation college students as they transition from high school to college. This will help ensure Chattanooga and Tennessee meet the workforce demands of the future, while also making a lasting impact on the individual students’ lives.”
Unum continued its multi-year partnership with the Hamilton County Department of Education through grants to support creative initiatives that engage students and improve learning and increase the use of technology in classrooms. The company also supports the Principal Leadership Academy, which was launched in 2010 to prepare aspiring school principals with leadership training and business mentorship from Unum executives.
The company also strengthened its commitment to public education through charitable giving and employee engagement with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Girls Inc. and Urban League.
“The collective impact these programs, and many more like them, have on our community is great,” Mr. McKenney said. “They not only enhance the educational and developmental opportunities for children and young adults, they’re doing a fantastic job preparing them to be tomorrow’s leaders, which bodes well for the future of our community.”
Outside of public education initiatives, the United Way was a big beneficiary of Unum’s corporate giving in 2014. A sampling of other beneficiaries include Chattanooga non-profit organizations that partner with Unum, including Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, Junior Achievement of Chattanooga, Hunter Museum of Art Field Trip Program and Arts Build.