Universal Giving

Strengthening Communities Where We Live and Work

Our Corporate Giving and Foundation programs reflect our belief that growth is about people as much as performance. Rooted in purpose and collaboration, we partner with nonprofit organizations to advance education, health, arts, and environmental stewardship. We act with integrity, ensuring our investments are thoughtful, transparent, and responsive to local needs. Together, we help build stronger communities and shared opportunities.

The Universal Foundation

A 501(c)(3) organization, the Universal Leaf Foundation (“The Foundation”) is more than 50 years old and is dedicated to fulfilling its social responsibilities to the communities in which Universal and its subsidiaries have a physical presence or significant business interest in the United States. Through grants, matching gifts, and employee engagement, we help organizations expand access to essential services, education, and community-building programs.

apply for a grant
Learn about matching gifts

Our Focus Areas

Through our Universal Leaf Foundation grant program, we invest in communities where we live and work. Guided by our values of community, purpose, and integrity, we support initiatives that strengthen education, promote well-being, expand access to arts, and protect the environment. We collaborate with local partners to ensure our contributions create meaningful, lasting impact. By aligning our resources with community priorities, we cultivate sustainable growth beyond our business.

Well-being

Support for basic needs and critical services, including housing and shelter, access to medical and mental health care, and food security.

Civic & Arts

Programs that strengthen community life, celebrate diversity, and revitalize neighborhoods through cultural engagement.

Higher Education

Scholarship support and education programs that build skills and expand opportunity for the future workforce.

Environmental Stewardship

Initiatives that protect and preserve natural habitats and help more people access and enjoy nature.

Interested in Applying for a
Universal Foundation Grant?

We evaluate applications based on alignment with our strategic focus areas, demonstrated need, expected impact, cost and other criteria. We accept funding requests from MONTH # to MONTH # each year.

Grant Cycle
Opens

April 1

Application
Deadline

June 15

Expected Decision
Notification

Early Fall

Grant
Awarded

Spring

Grant Eligibility

The Universal Foundation accepts applications from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations for funding requests between $5,000 to $25,000 from MONTH # through MONTH ## each year. All funding requests are assessed on the project’s alignment with the Foundation’s strategic focus areas, demonstrated need, expected impact, cost, and other evaluation criteria.

The Foundation supports both national and local organizations. For organizations working at a national or local level, program scope must be within our eight priority locations: Momence, Illinois; Nash Country, North Carolina; Oxford, North Carolina; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Kenbridge, Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; Grandview, Washington; and Prosser, Washington.

Areas the Foundation does not fund include individuals; political, advocacy or labor organizations; and projects or organizations that are not located within geographic areas where Universal Leaf has a physical presence.

Ready to Apply?

Please complete and submit a Universal Leaf Foundation Coversheet by clicking HERE.


Next, submit the following four (4) items via the Foundation’s email address or mailing address listed below:

  1. A written grant proposal/request that includes a description of the organization’s history and goals.
  2. The purpose for which the funds are being requested, including the amount of funds requested.
  3. A copy of the IRS letter confirming your organization’s tax-exempt status.
  4. Your organization’s most recent financial statement.

Mailing Address:

The Universal Foundation
c/o Lisa Leahy
P.O. Box 25099
Richmond, VA 23260

Key Foundation Officers:

Harvard B. Smith, President

Shauna Mullan-Smith, Vice President

Email Address:

Foundation1@universalleaf.com

Matching Gift at Universal

Eligible U.S. employees can amplify their impact though our Matching Gifts Program. The Foundation may match employee charitable donations 1:1 to double their donation to qualified organizations.

Universal Corporation’s Matching Gift encourages employees to make an impact in their communities by supporting the causes they care about through donations to eligible organizations. Employees can double their impact with matching gifts, up to $5,000 (U.S.) per eligible employee per fiscal year, from the Universal Leaf Foundation.

All salaried and non-seasonal hourly employees of the following entities are eligible to participate:

  • Universal Leaf Tobacco Company
  • Universal Leaf North America U.S.
  • Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania
  • J.P. Taylor Company, LLC
  • Universal Leaf Tobacco International
  • Universal Ingredients, including FruitSmart, Silva International, and Universal Ingredients – Shank’s Extracts
  • Universal Corporation Board members

Charitable organizations must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

The maximum amount matched per employee is $5,000 annually per fiscal year, July 1 – June 30.

Two Gifts in One

This program provides an opportunity to support specific, qualified organizations of an employee’s choosing. The Foundation’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, and during each fiscal year the aggregated maximum amount per eligible employee for matching by the Foundation is $5,000 with a minimum of $25. Following are the details of the program, and thanks for being supportive of our communities.

Program Guidelines

Employees eligible to participate in the Matching Gift Program include all salaried and non-seasonal hourly employees of Universal Leaf Tobacco Co., Inc., Universal Leaf North America U. S., Inc., Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania, Inc., J. P. Taylor Company L.L.C., FruitSmart, Silva International, Universal Ingredients – Shank’s Extracts, Universal Leaf Tobacco International, Inc., and Universal Corporation Board members.

Generally, organizations that are non-profit and designated to be tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service under 501(c)(3) qualify as recipients for the match. It is the employee’s responsibility to determine if the recipient organization meets this qualification and, if necessary, provide evidence of the qualification.

Examples of organizations and gifts that are ineligible for a match under the Employee Matching Gift Program include but are not limited to:

  • Payments to offset tuition, books, or other student fees
  • In-kind contributions
  • Membership dues

Read to Apply?

Please complete and submit a Universal Leaf Foundation Coversheet by clicking HERE.


Next, submit the following four (4) items via the Foundation’s email address or mailing address listed below:

  1. A written grant proposal/request that includes a description of the organization’s history and goals.
  2. The purpose for which the funds are being requested, including the amount of funds requested.
  3. A copy of the IRS letter confirming your organization’s tax-exempt status.
  4. Your organization’s most recent financial statement.

Mailing Address:

The Universal Foundation
c/o Lisa Leahy
P.O. Box 25099
Richmond, VA 23260

Key Foundation Officers:

Harvard B. Smith, President

Shauna Mullan-Smith, Vice President

Email Address:

Foundation1@universalleaf.com

Well-being

Critical services to meet the needs of people and the communities we serve. These grants support a wide range of projects including providing housing and shelter, access to medical and mental health services, and increased food security.

Higher Education

Support for educational efforts, higher education, and programs to develop the capacity of the future workforce.

Civic and Arts

Agronomists and LProgramming that fosters an appreciation of diversity, revitalizes neighborhoods, and ensures a vibrant community life through support of cultural endeavors.

Environmental Stewardship

Programs that protect and preserve natural habitats to make nature more accessible.