On the Web
Philip Morris Cares

PND Reviews Archives

The Foundation Center

PHILANTHROPY NEWS DIGEST
Vol. 5
Issue 51
December 21, 1999

Site:
Philip Morris Cares

URL:
http://www.philipmorris.com/pmcares/

Mission:
"To give something back to the communities where we live and work, all over the globe."

Purpose of Site:
To present information about Philip Morris's commitment to philanthropy and its related endeavors.

Main Office:
Philip Morris Companies
120 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(917) 663-5000

Company President:
Michael E. Szymanczyk

Program Description:
Philip Morris Companies (which encompasses Kraft Foods, Inc., Kraft Foods International, Miller Brewing Company, Philip Morris International Inc., and Philip Morris U.S.A) makes corporate contributions to local, national, and international nonprofit organizations in a number of different program areas, including hunger, domestic violence, culture, AIDS, environment, education, humanitarian assistance, and employee involvement.

Home Page:
The site opens with the slogan, "Working to make a difference. The people of Philip Morris," which is prominently featured elsewhere throughout the site. The introductory text provides some background about the company, its philanthropic efforts, and its funding interests and goals. Visitors can click on links to each of the company's focus areas for giving, other parts of the corporate site, and a page containing information about grants.

Outstanding Feature:
The site's straightforward organization, simple layout, and well-designed, low-bandwidth graphics make it very easy to navigate. In addition, passing the mouse over each photo representing a specific program area reveals text describing it in further detail. The overall information architecture of the site is ideal for effective use.

Honorable Mention:
The pages devoted to each of the company's program areas provide background statistical information on the prevalence of the particular problem it hopes to address, how the company provides aid in terms of outright grants, awareness-building campaigns, and partnerships with nonprofits, and relevant anecdotes about how Philip Morris has attempted to make a difference in that area.