Raytheon Again Earns Place Among Nation's "Civic 50"

The Civic 50 recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation each year as determined by an annual survey produced by the Points of Light Foundation, the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The 2019 edition, just released, features companies with Connecticut connections – and one with a prominent Connecticut connection in the midst of unfolding.

The roster of 50 selected companies includes Raytheon Company, for the seventh consecutive year.  Raytheon recently announced a merger with United Technologies Corporation.

“Whether we are supporting a veteran’s transition to a civilian career or inspiring a child through hands-on STEM programs, Raytheon’s corporate responsibility commitments focus on making a difference in individual lives and communities,” Raytheon Chairman and CEO Thomas A. Kennedy said in 2017, when the company led its sector in earning Civic 50 designation. 

The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills, and resources to impact their communities. The Civic 50 honorees are public and private companies with U.S. operations and revenues of $1 billion or more, and are selected based on four dimensions of their U.S. community engagement program including investment, integration, institutionalization and impact.

“Points of Light believes that people drive change in addressing society’s growing and most profound challenges,” said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO, Points of Light. “The business community plays an important role in creating and delivering innovative solutions that drive social good in the communities where they live and work.”

Also earning a place in the Civic 50 was Comcast NBC Universal, which owns both cable systems and NBC Connecticut in the state; WellsFargo, with multiple branches here; and KeyBank, which operates branches in the mid-west and New England, including Connecticut.  KeyBank was deemed the financial sector leader.

“Helping clients and communities thrive is KeyBank’s purpose,” said KeyBank Market President Jeff Hubbard.  “That purpose comes to life through our employees in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, and across the country. We believe the basis of change lies in meaningful investments and community partnerships. Collectively we can bring hope, opportunity, and dignity to all of our neighborhoods.”

CVS Health is also included in this year’s Civic 50.  A year ago, both CVS Health and Aetna were included.  In the intervening year, the CVS purchase of Aetna was completed. 

In his 1989 inaugural address, founder President George H.W. Bush shared his vision of "a thousand points of light" — individuals and organizations across the nation helping others through service. Three decades later, Points of Light transcends politics and borders to inspire millions worldwide. Points of Light also reports best practices each year to provide a framework for good corporate citizenship.

The Civic 50 survey was administered by True Impact, a company specializing in helping organizations maximize and measure their social and business value. The survey instrument consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform The Civic 50 scoring process. The Civic 50 is the only survey and ranking system that exclusively measures corporate involvement in communities.

Since 2011, officials said, The Civic 50 has provided a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcased how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.