United Way of America has presented its highest national honor, the Spirit of America® Award, to Xcel Energy and its employees and retirees in honor of their generosity, leadership and spirit of service to others. The Spirit of America® Award is presented annually to recognize a company's outstanding commitment to improve lives in communities.

In addition to its year-round commitment to United Way through education, events, volunteerism, financial contributions and more, Xcel is one of the few utilities selected for the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America, which recognizes companies for outstanding social, environmental and economic performance.

Six companies have been honored by United Way of America as national Summit Award winners. Summit Awards recognize companies that excel in at least one of four categories:

• corporate community investment (corporate philanthropy/corporate gift)

• employee community investment (employee campaign)

• community leadership (leadership giving/major gifts)

• employee community engagement (volunteerism)

Nationwide Insurance has received Summit Awards in the employee community investment, community leadership and employee community engagement categories. Microsoft Corporation has received Spirit Awards for both community leadership and employee community engagement.

General Mills and Kellogg Company have received Summit Awards for corporate community investment. DaimlerChrysler and Target Stores each has received a Summit Award for employee community investment and employee community engagement, respectively.