ITW wins national award for community support

Last night, United Way recognized Illinois Tool Works (ITW) with a Summit award for philanthropic engagement. ITW and its employees raised $11.4 million for United Way, including a generous dollar-for-dollar match plus an enhanced match available to incent participation and leadership giving.

“United Way is proud of its longstanding partnership with ITW. Together, we’ve been able to create opportunities for our communities for more than 50 years,” said Brian Gallagher, United Way Worldwide president and CEO. “ITW and its employees understand the importance of strengthening local communities. Their continued leadership and generosity has allowed us to improve countless lives.”

As part of its philanthropic suite of benefits, ITW also offers a generous matching gift program to support the nonprofits employees are passionate about. This program provides a triple match on employee gifts up to $5,000 for a total of $20,000 with the company’s $15,000 match.

Volunteer efforts are also an integral part of the company’s commitment to communities, starting with ITW Chairman and CEO David Speer serving on United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s Board plus a loaned ITW executive providing skilled volunteerism. Additionally, during the pilot phase of ITW’s new volunteer program, ITW employees volunteered 3,598 hours to United Way and its partners which the company matched with $10/hour. Nearly half of all the company’s business units provided at least one campaign volunteer event.

To provide real-world opportunities for young people and encourage innovation, ITW’s annual United Way educational video is created collaboratively by local high school students, area Boys and Girls Club youth and a nonprofit creative arts foundation.

The Spirit of America and Summit Awards program, celebrating its 25th year, is United Way’s highest national honor for corporations, recognizing United Way Global Corporate Leaders with the most comprehensive commitments to strengthening communities. Applicants are evaluated by corporate peers and local United Ways. Join the conversation on Twitter using hash tag #SpiritofAmerica or visit unitedway.org/SOA.

About ITW

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2012, ITW (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 global diversified industrial manufacturer of value-added consumables and specialty equipment with related service businesses. The company focuses on profitable growth and strong returns across worldwide platforms and businesses. These businesses serve local customers and markets around the globe, with a significant presence in developed as well as emerging markets. ITW’s revenues totaled $17.8 billion in 2011, with more than half of these revenues generated outside of the United States.

About United Way

United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org.