SEATTLE: June 21, 2017. FedEx and UPS are among the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States according to the latest 'Civic 50' list from Points of Light, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.

The winners are from public and private companies with U.S. operations and revenues of US$1 billion or more, and are selected based on four aspects of their national community engagement program - investment, integration, institutionalization and impact.

"FedEx Cares is more than a corporate giving platform. It allows us to use our unique skills as individuals and as a corporation to make a difference in the world," said Neil Gibson, vice president, Corporate Communications, FedEx Services. "As a company of logistics and shipping experts, we know how to solve tough problems. With FedEx Cares, our goal is to turn obstacles into opportunities," he continued.

"UPS has been a purpose-driven company throughout our history helping to lift people and communities in need – this is integral to our values and indeed guides our success," said Eduardo Martinez, president, The UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer at UPS. "We are honored by our inclusion on the Civic 50 and will continue to advance programs and initiatives that engage, empower and give back to global communities."

The 50 winners, who also included Allstate, Dell, HP, IBM, Motorola, Tata Consultancy and Toyota Financial, were announced at the Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service in Seattle this week, where leaders in volunteerism and civic engagement met to discuss how social innovation, cross-sector collaboration and citizen engagement can drive change.

"In the fifth year of honoring the most community-minded companies in the nation, The Civic 50 truly highlights the commitment to community and civic engagement of America's leading brands. This year's honorees contributed more than US$1.4 billion and 10.1 million volunteer hours in their communities around the country," said Jennifer Lawson, president of networks at Points of Light.

In its latest survey to determine the winners, Points of Light said the most community-minded U.S. companies have realized they can make a bigger impact in communities and harness the talents of their employees by contributing time and talent to critical causes.

As a result, the average percentage of skilled volunteer time at Civic 50 companies increased from 20 percent in 2014 to 26 percent in 2017.

Inspired by U.S. president George H.W. Bush's "Points of Light" speech in 1989, the Points of Light Foundation was established in 1990 to encourage volunteer service.