ALEXANDRIA, Va. – General Motors received a Summit award for philanthropy from United Way Worldwide, the country’s largest privately funded nonprofit. The award is the result of GM and the GM Foundation’s dedication to making a difference in communities across the U.S., particularly in the area of education.
The GM Foundation has pledged $27.1 million to United Way for Southeastern Michigan to create a “Network of Excellence” within seven metro Detroit high schools and increase graduation rates from 50% to 80% over five years. Attendance rates at all seven schools improved last year — an early indicator for improved graduation rates.
“General Motors and the GM Foundation have made a tremendous commitment to education and ensuring that all people are given the tools they need to be successful in life” said Brian Gallagher, United Way Worldwide president and CEO. “The company, its foundation and employees are investing resources and volunteer hours in our schools and students to measurably improve graduation rates. We applaud their leadership, generosity and dedication to creating the next generation of leaders and innovators.”
Last year, GM employees also contributed more than $5.8 million through the company’s United Way campaign, plus teamGM Cares Volunteers who tracked their service hours provided nearly 1,200 hours of service to the Network of Excellence schools. GM employees mentored students, performed mock job interviews, provided job shadowing and worked on many other service projects throughout the community. GM also partnered on an innovative “Get Schooled Detroit Attendance Challenge;” the winning high school increased attendance 8.56% and won Detroit native and musician Big Sean as Principal for the Day. Chevrolet also provided a Network of Excellence teacher with the use of a Chevrolet Volt for one year after she won an essay contest regarding the “Innovative use of Technology in the Classroom.”
“GM and the GM Foundation are determined to make a difference in the lives of today’s youth through our support of educational initiatives, and through service,” said GM Foundation President and GM Director of Corporate Relations Vivian Pickard. “To be honored for reaching students and improving educational outcomes – as well as the other efforts we do in the community — is very rewarding.”
United Way presented awards to General Motors, 3M, Bank of America, Comcast Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, The Mosaic Company and Wells Fargo. The Spirit of America and Summit Awards program is United Way’s highest national honor for a corporation, recognizing outstanding United Way Global Corporate Leaders. Join @UnitedWay and congratulate @GM on Twitter.
For more information on General Motors Foundation, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
More information on the General Motors Co. and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org.
