“Community Futures Challenge” to Find and Fund Nonprofits Applying Local Ingenuity to Address America’s Most Pressing Needs

STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses (PMI U.S.) today announced the launch of the Community Futures Challenge, an initiative to identify and support forward-looking ideas that promise to strengthen communities across the country.

At a time when many localities are seeking new sources of resilience, opportunity, and growth, the Challenge is designed to elevate practical solutions emerging from local leaders and changemakers. Administered in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), the Community Futures Challenge is issuing a call for ideas, innovations, and solutions designed to strengthen American communities.

“At PMI U.S., we believe America’s next chapter will be shaped by the people not afraid to tackle difficult problems, turn bold ideas into action, and open up new routes to progress for their communities,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S. “As our businesses continue to invest in American jobs, manufacturing, and innovation, the Community Futures Challenge extends that commitment by backing the people and ideas helping build what comes next.”

The Challenge is open to eligible U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in all 50 states and will feature a regional innovation hub tour designed to spotlight local problem-solvers and convene business, civic, and community leaders in four cities: Stamford, Connecticut; Phoenix, Arizona; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Jacksonville, Florida. Eligible projects must serve adults aged 21 and older and be in the early-stage, pilot, or scaling phase. Individuals, teams, and organizations may apply online at www.america250cfc.org for one of five $50,000 grants.

According to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by PMI U.S. and conducted by The Harris Poll, 86% of U.S. adults believe the most meaningful innovation solves real-world problems people face every day; 87% believe communities understand their own challenges better than outside experts do; and 90% believe companies should act as community partners rather than presume they have all the answers. Together, the findings point to a clear appetite for practical, community-led innovation—and for businesses to help good ideas grow rather than dictate what those ideas should be.

The judging will be administered in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), bringing ASU’s academic rigor, national reach and expertise in innovation to the Challenge and helping ensure submissions are assessed through a robust, independent and credible selection process. The Challenge will be chaired by Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, University Professor of Technology and Innovation and Foundation Chair in Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University. Dr. Panchanathan will lead a distinguished panel of judges whose collective experience spans building, leading and transforming organizations, institutions and initiatives across a range of fields. Together, the panel will evaluate submissions and identify the ideas with the greatest potential for meaningful impact.

Judging Panel

• Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass (Ret.)—the first woman to serve as the senior enlisted leader of a U.S. military branch, with a 31-year career championing readiness, leadership development, and the welfare of more than 600,000 Airmen
• Steve Clemons—Editor at Large, The National Interest; Founding Editor at Large, Semafor; host of The Bottom Line on Al Jazeera English; and founding Executive Director of the Nixon Center (now the Center for the National Interest)
• Hugh Forrest—the architect of SXSW’s transformation into a global gathering for technology, innovation, and culture, and an Ernst & Young Austin Entrepreneur of the Year co-recipient
• Dr. Mark Naufel—President & CEO of the University of Silicon Valley and founder of ASU’s Luminosity Lab, working at the intersection of technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and human-centered design
• Leah Pisar—Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and Chair of Project Aladdin, with deep expertise in transatlantic policy and global institutional leadership
• Dr. Velma Trayham—President & CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and an entrepreneur who has helped more than 8,000 minority- and women-owned businesses launch and scale
• Ted Yang— MIT-trained engineer, entrepreneur, former finance executive at Bridgewater and Citadel, founder of more than a dozen companies, author of Ageless Peak Performance and Table for Five, and member of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education
• Kent Yoshimura—Co-Founder and CEO of Neuro and a multidisciplinary creative and athlete whose work spans health, film, public art, and digital media; featured by NBC, The New York Times, TIME, and NPR

“Innovation is most impactful when rooted in the needs and strengths of communities,” said Dr. Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan. “The Community Futures Challenge reflects a shared commitment to identifying those ideas, advancing innovation with purpose, and supporting efforts that can deliver meaningful impact across the country.”

The Community Futures Challenge reflects PMI U.S.’s broader “Invested in America” commitment. Since 2022, the company has invested more than $1 billion in U.S. operations, workforce expansion, and innovation capabilities, helping build the foundation for long-term growth while creating jobs and economic opportunity across the country. Through initiatives such as this challenge and other community partnerships, PMI U.S. is working to support local innovation, strengthen communities, and help shape a more resilient future.

For more information about the Community Futures Challenge or to apply, visit America250cfc.org.

PMI U.S.: Invested in America
Philip Morris International Inc.’s U.S. businesses are invested in America’s future and advancing a smoke-free nation. The businesses are committed to providing the approximately 25 million legal-age consumers who smoke cigarettes with better, smoke-free alternatives and to ensuring the products are marketed responsibly. From PMI’s global headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and other locations nationwide, PMI U.S. contributes leadership, jobs, investment, and innovation in the U.S. The U.S. businesses employ more than 3,000 people across America and operate product manufacturing facilities, including in Aurora, Colorado, Owensboro, Kentucky, and Wilson, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.uspmi.com.

References to “PMI” mean the Philip Morris International family of companies. “PMI U.S.,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to one or more PMI U.S. businesses.

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SOURCE PMI US Corporate Services, Inc.