By surveying the top 150 companies in the Fortune 500 and collecting data from public documents filed with the IRS and SEC, The Chronicle of Philanthropy has published a list of the most charitable public companies, which can be viewed here. With help from the Chronicle, Fortune has identified the top 20 most generous companies, as measured by cash contributions. The dollar amounts cited below were independently verified by Fortune. In total, the 20 most generous companies donated $3.5 billion in cash in 2015.
Gilead’s 2015 cash contributions: $446.7 million
Gilead’s (GILD) giving jumped by nearly two-thirds in 2015, due to rising revenues as the biotech firm expanded into the Hepatitis C market. Most of the company’s grants are reactive, based on specific funding requests from nonprofit groups. The company declined to provide an accounting of its biggest cash grants in 2015, but said that most giving falls within its work on HIV/AIDS and liver disease. Last year, for example, Gilead granted $2-million to help the nonprofit Liver Foundation build a health facility in Kolkata, India.
2. Walmart
Courtesy of Walmart
Walmart’s 2015 cash contributions: $301 million
Kathleen McLaughlin serves as president of the Walmart Foundation and as the company’s chief sustainability officer, a reflection of the retail giant’s desire to align its philanthropic work with its efforts to green and improve its business operations and supply chain. Last year, it pledged $100 million to advance economic mobility for retail workers. That commitment includes a $10.9 million grant to nonprofit workforce organizations, to implement career services specific to retail. The company also raised starting wages for employees from $9 to $10 per hour. (Labor activists, along with a coalition of workers known as OUR Walmart, have called for an increase to $15 an hour). In addition, Walmart (WMT) helps the anti-hunger charity Feeding America distribute fresh produce to people in need by donating food, providing refrigerated trucks, and pairing its logistics experts with the organization.
3. Wells Fargo
Courtesy of Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo’s 2015 cash contributions: $281.3 million
The bank aims to donate between 1.2% and 1.5% of its earnings each year. It does that through two primary philanthropic portfolios: one that’s distributed at the local level, by senior leaders in markets where the bank operates, and a second that is national and more tightly tied to the firm’s business expertise. For example, in 2015, Wells Fargo (WFC) gave a total of $25 million to the nonprofit NeighborWorks, to support financial education and down payments on homes. Employees receive two days of paid leave per year to volunteer; they can also apply to spend six weeks working with a nonprofit of their choice.
Courtesy of Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs’s 2015 cash contributions: $276.4 million
In 2007, the financial services firm hired Dina Powell, an alumna of the George W. Bush administration, to lead its philanthropy and social investments. Since then (and in the aftermath of the financial crisis), Goldman’s (GS) giving has spiked. It gave away 3% of its pre-tax profits last year, compared with a median of 1% for Fortune 500 companies, according to Chronicle of Philanthropy data. The firm’s signature initiatives, 10,000 Women and 10,000 Small Businesses, have catalyzed a loan facility with the International Finance Corporation for women entrepreneurs and connected 6,300 small business owners with training and capital, respectively. Goldman also gives away grants through a donor-advised fund based on guidance from its employees.
5. ExxonMobil
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil’s 2015 cash contributions: $268 million
The oil and gas company (XOM) inched up its giving by 13.2% last year. Grants focus on three areas: education, malaria prevention, and economic opportunity for women. The company declined to disclose details of its giving last year. But in 2014, the most recent year for which data was available, grants from the ExxonMobil Foundation included contributions of $80,000 to dozens of science camps at colleges and universities nationwide; $1.9 million to Vital Voices, the international women’s group founded by Hillary Clinton; and $500,000 to the Medicines for Malaria Venture. (Companies are required to disclose grants they give through philanthropic foundations but not what they give directly through their business).
6. Chevron
Courtesy of Chevron
Chevron’s 2015 cash contributions: $225 million
As oil prices slumped last year, so did Chevron’s (CVX) giving. The energy giant gave 7.2% less than in 2014, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Chevron, which declined Fortune‘s request for an interview, supports economic development for women in Latin America and HIV/AIDS treatment in oil-rich African countries where it operates, according to its website. The company has also donated to the Clinton Foundation and to support science and tech education.
Photograph by Ed Kashi, Courtesy of JP Morgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase’s 2015 cash contributions: $224 million
JPMorgan Chase (JPM) focuses its social investing on economic opportunity. In 2014, the financial-services firm pledged $100 million in loans and grants to aid economic recovery in Detroit. One grant, for example, supported the development of a tool to map blighted properties with the goal of helping community groups and city officials return them to productive use. The firm’s “service corps” of employees assists Detroit nonprofits in developing strategic plans, financial models for earned revenue, and improved human resources systems.
8. Bank of America
Courtesy of Bank of America
Bank of America’s 2015 cash contributions: $168.5 million
Like many financial firms, Bank of America (BAC) sharpened its focus on basic needs and economic mobility following the 2008 recession. Last year, it spent just shy of $50 million on workforce education, $33 million on community development, and $33 million on hunger and other urgent needs. During the winter holiday season, Bank of America runs a marketing campaign to raise money and awareness for the anti-hunger group Feeding America. For every dollar that customers give online to the group via Bank of America portals, the company contributes $2. Employees get two hours off per week to volunteer.
9. Alphabet (Google)
Courtesy of Google
Google’s 2015 cash contributions: $167.8 million
Google.org, the search engine’s (GOOG) philanthropic arm, supports organizations that are developing bold, sometimes risky, approaches to solving social problems. Founded with much fanfare after the company went public in 2004, Dot.org (as it is known within Google) had a bumpy beginning but has streamlined its work under Jacquelline Fuller, a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation alumna. Recent grants include $2.4 million to GiveDirectly, a nonprofit that provides direct cash aid to the poor; $750,000 (plus engineering assistance) to help Perkins School for the Blind develop a “micronavigation app” based on crowdsourced data; and $1-million to the Equal Justice Initiative, a group led by lawyer Bryan Stevenson that advocates for criminal-justice reform. Google.org also deployed employees last fall to help install wifi along refugee routes in Europe.
10. Citigroup
Courtesy of Citigroup
Citigroup’s 2015 cash contributions: $142.8 million
Citigroup’s (C) philanthropy is integrated into its broader corporate citizenship strategy. It recently unveiled an investment of $50 million over three years in cash and other support to connect young people with career opportunities. As part of that program, the firm will fund AmeriCorps members in 10 cities to engage youth in service. Its bankers and money managers will participate in mentorship programs through nonprofits such as Management Leadership for Tomorrow. Citi holds a global annual day of service designed in part to strengthen employee morale and improve teamwork.
11. Microsoft
Courtesy of Microsoft
Microsoft’s 2015 Cash contributions: $135.2 million
Microsoft (MSFT) is aligning its giving around its business assets. Last year, the Redmond, Wash.-based company appointed Mary Snapp, who previously served as Microsoft’s deputy general counsel, to help strengthen its relationships with nonprofits and find new ways to use employees’ tech skills for social benefit. For example, the company has invited charity leaders to pitch ideas for hackathons where Microsoft engineers can solve data and tech problems for social good. Longstanding Microsoft programs match employee volunteer time with $25 in cash per hour, and enable engineers to teach computer science in high schools.
12. Merck
Courtesy of Merck
Merck’s 2015 cash contributions: $132.5 million
Led by Julie Gerberding, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Merck’s (MRK) corporate giving initiative focuses on reducing maternal mortality. In Senegal, for example, Merck partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the national government to develop a network of entrepreneurs to supply rural health clinics with contraceptives. That work also benefits Merck by strengthening health systems. For employees, the company offers a yearlong fellowship to volunteer with nonprofit organizations; so far, 70 people have participated.
13. Coca-Cola
© 2013 Roff Smith, Courtesy of The Coca Cola Company
Coca Cola’s 2015 cash contributions: $117.3 million
In the past decade, Coca-Cola (KO) has expanded its giving portfolio beyond educational causes to include water and healthy living. For example, it supports the Global Environment and Technology Foundation’s work in Africa to replenish water sources, improve access to safe drinking water, and provide hygiene education. (Coca-Cola, like other beverage companies, has faced criticism over the environmental footprint of its bottled water products). It matches up to $10,000 per year in employee donations to education, arts, or environment groups, more than most corporations.
14. AT&T
Courtesy of AT&T
AT&T’s 2015 cash contributions: $112.9 million
The telecom company’s giving hews closely to its business objectives. Recognizing that a skilled workforce is key to its financial success, AT&T (T) has contributed $350 million since 2008 to help reduce high school dropout rates. The company is also partnering with Udacity, the online education provider, to subsidize nanodegrees—intensive certification programs–in IT. Its total giving grew by nearly a third last year due to the acquisition of satellite television company DirecTV.
15. Target
Photograph by Randy Shropshire — Getty Images for U.S. Fund for UNICEF
Target’s 2015 cash contributions: $111.5 million
Like its business operations, Target’s philanthropy is getting a facelift. As the retailer trims the number of products it offers customers, it is focusing its giving on one area where the business is also doubling down: wellness. As one of its first projects, Target (TGT) partnered with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to develop an education-oriented activity bracelet that will both raise money for the charity and be distributed for free in schools. The transformation comes after Target completed a five-year commitment in 2015 to provide $1 billion in cash and products for U.S. education.
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16. General Mills
Photograph by Miguel Samper, Courtesy of General Mills
General Mills’ 2015 cash contributions: $105 million
The Minneapolis-based food company looks for aid opportunities where its strengths intersect with community needs. It supports Partners in Food Solutions, a nonprofit that seeks to help small processors in Africa produce high-quality, safe food. Approximately 180 company employees volunteered with the group in 2015. General Mills’ (GIS) general biggest cash grants that year included $4.4 million to the Greater Twin Cities United Way, to match employee giving; $1.2 million to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, to support youth nutrition; and $1.2 million to the humanitarian group CARE USA.
17. Pfizer
Photograph by William Vazquez, Pfizer
2015 Cash contributions: $93.3 million
Pfizer (PFE) reports that it donated more than $3 billion in medicines last year, in addition to cash. The pharmaceutical company declined to share details on its biggest cash donations in 2015. But it said that recent grantees include the International Trachoma Initiative, which seeks to eliminate the eye infection that can cause blindness, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which increases access to immunizations. Pfizer provides employees with the chance to spend up to six months embedding with international aid groups. To date, more than 300 people have participated.
18. Kroger
Courtesy of Kroger
Kroger’s 2015 cash contributions: $76.5 million
In addition to donating produce to the Feeding America network of food banks, Kroger (KR) gives about $3-million to the group per year and also lends its employees to help with food safety and logistics. But much of the company’s giving—$51 million in 2015—is distributed through a customer rewards program. Kroger donates cash to charities of shoppers’ choice based on a share of their annual purchases with the grocer. The program helps build loyalty and deepen the company’s ties in local markets.
19. PNC Financial Services
Courtesy of PNC Financial
PNC Financial’s 2015 cash contributions: $72 million
In 2004, PNC (PNC) wagered its philanthropic portfolio on early childhood education. Since then, the bank has contributed more than $107 million to that signature giving program, Grow up Great. For example, it is supporting the Thirty Million Words Initiative, which aims to expand the vocabulary of children from low-income families in Chicago. PNC says that narrowing its charitable focus has helped enhance its brand affiliation with a cause and assess the impact of its philanthropy. Workers get 40 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer.
20. Morgan Stanley
Photograph by Wava Media, Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley’s 2015 cash contributions: $62.5 million
Like many large companies, Morgan Stanley (MS) sees its employees’ expertise as an asset it can bring to bear on social problems. Take its partnership with the nonprofit Feeding America. About 6,000 Morgan Stanley employees volunteer each year with the network of food banks, in some cases serving as board members. A team of four employees recently spent two months helping the hunger organization find ways to save costs and find efficiencies across its network. The firm also gives the charity about $2 million annually.
