Local Investments Totaling Nearly $1.2 Million Are Rooted in Real Needs, Listening to Learn, and Community Partnerships
AURORA, CO—September 4, 2025—Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses (PMI U.S.) today shared details of their philanthropic investments in Colorado, totaling nearly $1.2 million since 2021, including more than $1 million in 2024 and 2025 to date. This follows the release of the company’s Philanthropy 2025 Benchmark Survey, “Invested in America: Today’s High Standards for U.S. Companies,” which found that Americans want a different kind of corporate philanthropy, one rooted in community and collaboration.
Results of the survey, released in June, point to a growing demand for companies to play a more active, community-centered role. Key findings included:
- 84 percent of Americans believe big companies have an ethical responsibility to support the communities where they operate.
- 53 percent see a heightened need for companies to be involved in their communities, citing the growing demand for services.
- Younger Americans, aged 21 to 44, ranked “local investment” as a very high priority for companies.
“We’re in a new era in which Americans expect practical, results-driven action from the companies operating in their communities and the brands they support,” said Marian Salzman, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development at PMI U.S. “This is not about charity for the sake of appearances—it’s about investing in the real needs of real people. This is pragmatic philanthropy at its most powerful, and we’re committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with our trusted local partners in Colorado to deliver lasting, measurable change.”
PMI U.S.’s giving in Colorado reflects this philosophy through long-term investments in trusted organizations with deep community ties and a track record of generating impactful benefits.
Snapshot: PMI U.S. Giving in Colorado (2021–present)
Local organizations supported:
- Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation—to honor and remember all Colorado veterans
- Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project—for on-site mental health evaluations and legal representation of veterans
- American Gold Star Mothers—to assist families mourning the loss of a service member
- Veterans Community Project—to provide safe housing and support for military veterans experiencing homelessness, helping them on their journey to a fresh start
- Hire Heroes—to empower veterans with personalized career coaching and job placement services
- Soldiers’ Angels—to deliver essential aid and support to service members, veterans, and their families
- So All May Eat / SAME Café—to expand healthy food access to Colorado communities
Today’s announcement follows the release of PMI U.S.’s Pragmatic Philanthropy: A New Imperative of Corporate Citizenship, a white paper that outlines the business’s approach to creating a sustainable impact through listening, partnership, and community involvement. The report also features a case study of PMI U.S.’s giving in action, including in Colorado.
Learn more about how PMI U.S. is Invested in Communities and read the white paper on pragmatic philanthropy here.
Invested in America
Philip Morris International Inc.’s U.S. businesses (collectively, “PMI U.S.”) are on a mission to improve public health in America by providing the ~30 million legal-age consumers who still smoke traditional cigarettes with better, smoke-free alternatives. PMI U.S. is committed to responsible marketing practices that help prevent access to its products by people under the age of 21. PMI U.S. employs more than 2,900 people across America and operates product manufacturing facilities, including in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Wilson, North Carolina. Since 2022, PMI U.S. has contributed approximately $25 million to charitable causes, amplifying the good work of organizations already active within communities through financial contributions and volunteering. For more information, please visit www.uspmi.com.
References to “PMI” mean the Philip Morris International family of companies. “PMI U.S.,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to one or more of PMI’s U.S. businesses.
Contact:
PMI U.S. Communications
Matt Sheaff