ARMONK, N.Y., Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it has been named the number one community-minded company in America, according to the The Civic 50 (#civic50) survey -- the first comprehensive ranking of S&P 500 corporations that best use their time, talent, and resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. The survey was conducted by the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) and Points of Light, the nation's definitive experts on civic engagement, in partnership with Bloomberg LP.

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IBM's (@citizenIBM) culture of service has transformed global communities through initiatives such as the Corporate Service Corps, a pro bono program for assisting local governments with business consulting and technology.  Upheld as a global model of corporate international volunteerism, the Corporate Service Corps has sent about 2,000 IBM employees on more than 200 team assignments in 30 countries. 

"We're thrilled to be recognized as the leading company to deliver innovation and sustainable value into communities," said Stanley S. Litow, IBM vice president of Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs, and President of IBM's Foundation. "Not only does giving the time, talent and expertise of IBMers benefit the local communities in which we operate, it helps our employees attain the skills to become future leaders."

Companies in the survey were evaluated on seven specific metrics:  leadership, measurement and strategy, design, employee civic health, community partnerships, cause alignment and transparency. Top companies in the study employed increasingly sophisticated tools to measure the impact of community engagement and alignment of their programs to core business competencies.  More than two-thirds of the top 50 companies said they "frequently" or "always" use the professional skills of their workforce to address social issues and real community challenges.  Sixty-six percent of the top 50 said they have "mission-level" alignment with the community partners, meaning they work with them on the highest strategic level, not just on individual programs or events.

"NCoC is proud to be part of The Civic 50 launch," said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of NCoC.  "The Civic 50 demonstrates that the best companies in America are deeply committed to strengthening their respective communities. Leaders of these companies are aligning the expertise of their companies and people with the needs of their communities, and then measuring the impact of their programs. NCoC hopes The Civic 50 will spur companies throughout our country to do the same."

"As a company committed to community engagement and improvement, Bloomberg is proud to have partnered with the National Conference on Citizenship and Points of Light on this important ranking," said Norman Pearlstine, Chairman, Bloomberg Businessweek and Chief Content Officer, Bloomberg LP.  "The Civic 50 is a pioneering addition to the Bloomberg Rankings inventory. It features a comprehensive, transparent methodology to identify companies that have taken a leadership role in developing and implementing civic engagement programs. We believe it will raise awareness of the importance of a civic consciousness through the U.S. corporate world."

"Today, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we can see clearly how much corporate America pitches in – with expertise, talent, time and money – to help communities meet critical needs," said Jackie Norris, executive director of the Points of Light Corporate Institute. "In times of disaster and in relative calm, The Civic 50's work is transformative, innovative and critically important."

The full list of winners in descending order is below, and can be found online at www.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/civic_50_2012.html.

To learn more about IBM's corporate citizenship efforts, please visit www.citizenibm.com or follow us on Twitter @citizenIBM

Contact: Lisa Lanspery 
IBM
914-499-6532
Lisalanspery@us.ibm.com 
@lanspery

SOURCE IBM