The Murugappa Group has upheld its ancient family tradition of earmarking and spending a portion of family income for social service in its business enterprise also. Because the Murugappa family believes that social responsibility is not just a ritual — whether on family or corporate level — they believe it is fulfilling one's dharma. Therefore in all its philanthropic endeavours, the Group reflects its spiritual conscience and not just corporate obligation.

Therefore, the Group invests a portion of its wealth — one per cent of profit after tax (PAT) for the welfare of society since it went into business.

Later, this approach was institutionalised through establishing the AMM Foundation wherein contributions from the Murugappa family were invested in community health and education. Originally founded in 1953 as the AMM Charities Trust, the foundation works for the welfare of the community where Murugappa operates, with special thrust on education and health sector. Over the last eight decades, the foundation has built and maintains four high schools comprising 8000 students, a polytechnic institute of 1000 students, four no-fee hospitals and a rural research centre that focuses on the development of protein-efficient algae, natural dyes, organic farming and technologies for the rural and urban poor.

The women of the Murugappa family have always been at the helm of this philanthropic pursuit.

The late chairman AMM Arunachalam best summed up the Group's philosophy in community service: "The Murugappa Group believes not only in value-added business but also in discharging its responsibilities to various sections of society and in providing opportunities to learn, contribute, advance; recognise and reward initiative, innovativeness and creativity. We believe in not only making our customers delighted but the community around us also delighted, by established service-oriented philanthropic institutions in the field of education and medicare."