\nAltria Group, Inc. (Altria) (NYSE:MO) \u2013 Altria\u2019s companies have strong American roots and relationships with farmers that date back more than 200 years. We have a long history of investing in high-quality U.S. jobs and manufacturing, supporting thriving communities and delivering billions of dollars in annual economic value. Today, we are building on that tradition, celebrating America\u2019s 250th<\/sup> birthday with incremental investments in American tobacco growers, our communities, our employees and our iconic brands.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIn a time when many feel divided, America\u2019s 250th<\/sup> birthday is a moment to come together and truly show up for one another in the communities we call home,\u201d said Jennifer Hunter, Senior Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Chief Sustainability Officer, Altria Client Services. \u201cAltria and its family of companies have a long tradition of giving back to our communities. Together, we\u2019re honoring this milestone by supporting American tobacco growers and creating new ways to serve the communities where we live and work.\u201d<\/p>\n \nOver the next three years, ALCS, with funding from Philip Morris USA, will provide more than $8 million in philanthropic support to strengthen agricultural education, invest in tobacco-growing communities and continue to engage employees nationwide through service and civic participation. We plan to:<\/p>\n About the University of Kentucky and Virginia Tech Endowments<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \nAltria has built a strong relationship with both the University of Kentucky and Virginia Tech over the last several decades. Each university will receive a total of $2 million across the next three years to support endowed faculty chair positions to strengthen academic and extension capacity in these tobacco-growing communities.<\/p>\n \n\u201cPM USA has a long history of working with growers and universities to support the long-term sustainability and vibrancy of tobacco farming,\u201d said Jon Moore, President and CEO of PM USA. \u201cThese investments complement PM USA\u2019s ongoing commercial purchases of U.S.-grown tobacco and our long-standing business relationships with American tobacco farmers.We know these universities play a vital role in advancing agriculture in the region, and as an American company based in Virginia, this is personal to us.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u201cAs new uses are established and tobacco markets shift, this generous gift will allow the college to continue to focus on emerging areas of innovation,\u201d said Laura Stephenson, Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and dean of Martin-Gatton CAFE. \u201cTobacco is still an important part of Kentucky\u2019s agricultural economy. Continuing to serve our growers, students and industry through research and education will help us address evolving challenges and strengthen the long-term sustainability of tobacco production.\u201d<\/p>\n \nOur investment continues a decades-long relationship with Martin-Gatton CAFE and reflects our sustained commitment to supporting growers, research and agricultural leadership. Over the years, Altria and our subsidiaries, including PM USA, have funded burley and dark-fire tobacco research and Extension programs. Growing experts and advocates are equally important, and we\u2019ve continued to make significant contributions to UK scholarships, graduate fellowships, faculty research support and the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program.<\/p>\n \n\u201cTobacco has played a defining role in Kentucky\u2019s agricultural heritage for generations,\u201d said Commissioner Jonathan Shell at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. \u201cWhile the industry continues to evolve, thousands of Kentucky farmers still rely on tobacco as an important part of their operations. This investment will help ensure we remain at the forefront of innovation, supporting growers with the research and tools they need to stay competitive and sustainable. I encourage others across the industry to join in supporting these efforts to secure a strong future for tobacco in Kentucky.\u201d<\/p>\n \nWe have a long-standing relationship with Virginia Tech, supporting research and Extension efforts within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that directly benefit producers. This endowment will provide long-term support for tobacco agronomy at the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC), sustaining research, field trials and grower engagement across the Commonwealth of Virginia.<\/p>\n \n\u201cThis investment helps ensure Virginia Tech can continue delivering the research and Extension support that tobacco producers rely on every growing season,\u201d said Mario Ferruzzi, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. \u201cBy establishing long-term support for tobacco agronomy, we are strengthening our ability to serve the industry today while preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u201cEverything we do is focused on helping growers make better decisions in real time,\u201d said David Reed, tobacco agronomist at Virginia Tech\u2019s Southern Piedmont AREC. \u201cThis kind of support allows us to stay in the field, work directly with producers, and keep improving the systems they depend on.\u201d<\/p>\n Investing in the Community<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \nWe are working to establish new donor-advised funds totaling $4.1 million to support local community needs and future disaster-relief efforts in PM USA\u2019s key tobacco-growing communities in Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky.<\/p>\n \n\u201cWe know firsthand the challenges that farmers, as well as entire farm communities face,\u201d said Michael Manson, Vice President of Brand Management, PM USA. \u201cTragic natural disasters have hit the regions during recent years \u2013 including tornadoes and flooding that have destroyed family farms and entire communities. In addition to supporting local community needs, this fund can assist in supporting those impacted by future natural disasters.\u201d<\/p>\n Altria\u2019s 2026 Volunteer and Employee Contributions<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \nTo keep America\u2019s 250th<\/sup> birthday celebration going, throughout the year we will engage our nearly 6,000 employees around what connects us most: service to others. Through an enterprise program that builds momentum from National Volunteer Month in April, we are creating multiple ways for employees across the country to participate in meaningful, local action that strengthens the places where we live and work. Altria aims to reach 25,000 volunteer hours annually by 2030.<\/p>\n \nThe initiative will expand opportunities for employees to volunteer, donate and learn through accessible challenges and campaigns powered by the Altria Contributing Together platform. Employees will be encouraged to support causes they care about by participating in group volunteering, completing a civic learning challenge and donating funds through an enhanced matching gifts campaign. We will also celebrate in partnership with many of our national and local nonprofit and community partners.<\/p>\n Altria\u2019s Profile<\/b><\/p>\n \nWe have a leading portfolio of nicotine products for U.S. nicotine consumers age 21+. We are Moving Beyond Smoking<\/i>\u00ae by responsibly transitioning adult smokers to a smoke-free future, competing vigorously for existing smoke-free adult nicotine consumers (ANC) and exploring new growth opportunities \u2014 beyond the U.S. and beyond nicotine (Vision). To achieve our Vision, we will pursue initiatives designed to promote the long-term welfare of our company, our stakeholders, society at large and the environment.<\/p>\n \nOur wholly owned subsidiaries include leading manufacturers of both combustible and smoke-free products. In combustibles, we own Philip Morris USA Inc. (PM USA), the most profitable U.S. cigarette manufacturer, and John Middleton Co. (Middleton), a leading U.S. cigar manufacturer. Our smoke-free portfolio includes ownership of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC (USSTC), the leading global moist smokeless tobacco (MST) manufacturer, Helix Innovations LLC (Helix), a leading manufacturer of oral nicotine pouches, and NJOY, LLC (NJOY), an e-vapor manufacturer with products covered by marketing granted orders from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).<\/p>\n \nAdditionally, we have a majority-owned joint venture, Horizon Innovations LLC (Horizon), for the U.S. marketing and commercialization of heated tobacco stick products.<\/p>\n \nOur equity investments include Anheuser-Busch InBev SA\/NV (ABI), the world\u2019s largest brewer, and Cronos Group Inc. (Cronos), a leading Canadian cannabinoid company.<\/p>\n \nThe brand portfolios of our operating companies include Marlboro<\/i>\u00ae, Black & Mild<\/i>\u00ae, Copenhagen<\/i>\u00ae, Skoal<\/i>\u00ae, on!<\/i>\u00ae and NJOY<\/i>\u00ae. Trademarks related to Altria referenced in this release are the property of Altria or our subsidiaries or are used with permission.<\/p>\n \nLearn more about Altria at www.altria.com<\/a> and follow us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.<\/p>\n \nSource: Altria Group, Inc.<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260427960042\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \nAltria Client Services \nAltria Client Services KEYWORDS:<\/b> Kentucky Virginia United States North America<\/p>\n INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Tobacco Philanthropy Training Fund Raising University Agriculture Other Philanthropy Retail Natural Resources Education<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n
\n
Investor Relations
\n
804-484-8222<\/p>\n
\n
Media Relations
\n
www.altria.com\/contact-us\/media<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Logo\"](\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260427960042\/en\/1235738\/3\/AG_pos_fullv_nor_p.jpg\")
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n