UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND ANNOUNCES
$1 MILLION COMMITMENT FROM ALTRIA GROUP, INC.

Announcement Made In Ceremony At Benedict College

(AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSWIRE)COLUMBIA, SC-The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) today announced a $1 million grant from Altria Group, Inc. that will be used for scholarships and operational support to UNCF's 39 member institutions. The announcement was made during a ceremony at UNCF member institution, Benedict College of Columbia, SC, where South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn, UNCF president, William H. Gray, III, and the South Carolina UNCF college presidents applauded the efforts of Altria. Altria Group, Inc., has supported the mission of UNCF for more than 50 years. During the ceremony, UNCF received the second installment of $250,000 as part of a four-year commitment.

"UNCF has a wonderful relationship with Altria Group, Inc., which has provided countless resources to UNCF initiatives over several decades," said William H. Gray, III, president & CEO of UNCF. "We are extremely appreciative of Altria Group's continued support and commitment to expanding educational opportunities for talented young men and women across the country."

"The Altria family of companies is proud of our commitment to African American higher education and to the futures of our young people," said A. Shuanise Washington, vice president of government affairs, policy & outreach, Altria Corporate Services, Inc. "Our operating companies, Kraft Foods, Philip Morris International and Philip Morris USA recruit employees from historically black colleges because we recognize the value these graduates provide to our workforce."

"A critical issue facing the African American community is the need to provide training to prepare our young people with the skills and knowledge they will need to be future leaders," said Congressman James E. Clyburn, member of the U.S House of Representatives from South Carolina. "A world-class education is the hallmark of the United Negro College Fund and historically black colleges and universities, and I will continue to commit myself to assuring that these great institutions thrive and flourish."

About Altria Group, Inc.

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) is the parent company of Kraft Foods, Philip Morris International and Philip Morris USA. The companies of Altria have a long tradition of providing sustained support of programs that address important community needs. Since first partnering with UNCF in the early 1940's, the Altria group of companies have played an active role in supporting initiatives that promote community well-being through leadership and economic development. For more information about community involvement initiatives of the Altria family of companies, visit www.altria.com/media_programs.

About the United Negro College Fund

Founded in 1944, the United Negro College Fund is the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. Its mission is to enhance the quality of education by providing financial assistance to deserving students, raising operating funds for UNCF's 39 member colleges and universities, and increasing access to technology for students and faculty. UNCF administers more than 450 scholarships and fellowships to students and faculty who attend UNCF member colleges and universities, other historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and majority institutions throughout the country. In its 59-year history, UNCF has raised more than $2 billion to promote higher education achievement and has helped more than 300,000 students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. For more information about UNCF, visit www.uncf.org.

Additonal contacts:

Ferenc Tshibangu
United Negro College Fund
Tel# 703-205-3510
Email: ferenc.tshibangu@uncf.org

Kymm Hunter
Benedict College
Tel# 803-253-5132
Email: hunterk@benedict.edu

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