Unum exceeds $12.7 million in charitable giving for 2015

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Unum UNM and its employees in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland contributed nearly $12.7 million and volunteered more than 88,000 volunteer hours to charitable organizations in 2015.

"Unum has a long and proud tradition of giving back to our communities and making an impact on those who could use a helping hand," said Joe Foley, senior vice president. "That commitment to social responsibility is one of our core values, and it's rewarding to see our employees share that commitment and that they're dedicated to making 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. Other areas of support include health and wellness and arts and culture.

Over the years, Unum has been instrumental in creating education programs with South High Community School in Worcester, Mass., the Educate Maine's Education Leaders Experience in Portland, Maine, and the Strong Schools Grants programs in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Columbia, S.C.

"We're heavily involved in these programs, and many more like them, because of the collective impact they make on our communities," Foley said. "They not only improve the educational outlook of children and young adults in our hometowns, they help us build strong communities by developing tomorrow's leaders."

Based on standard volunteer formulas, the 88,000 hours logged by Unum employees is valued at roughly $2 million. Additionally, more than 350 Unum employees lend their leadership expertise as board members for various charitable organizations.

Outside of public education initiatives, the United Way was a big beneficiary of Unum's corporate giving in 2015. Other beneficiaries in Unum's home states included:

• Chattanooga Area Food Bank in Tennessee
• Boys and Girls Club of Worcester in Massachusetts
• Jobs for Maine's Graduates in Maine
• SC Center for Fathers and Families in Columbia, South Carolina
• Maggie's in the UK
• Junior Achievement Ireland

Unum provides financial protection benefits in the workplace such as disability, life, accident and critical illness insurance. Through its Unum and Colonial Life businesses, the company has offices across the U.S., the U.K., and in Carlow, Ireland.

About Unum

Unum Group (www.unum.com) is a leading provider of financial protection benefits in the United States and the United Kingdom. Its primary businesses are Unum US, Colonial Life and Unum UK. Unum's portfolio includes disability, life, accident and critical illness coverage, which help protect millions of working people and their families in the event of an illness or injury. The company reported revenues of $10.7 billion in 2015, and provided $6.8 billion in benefits last year.

For more information visit us at www.unum.com or connect with us at Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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