Dear Friends,
At the GE Foundation, we are committed to using our resources to help solve some of the world’s toughest problems and make a difference in communities around the world.
Specifically, we partner with others to focus our efforts in the areas of health, education, the environment and disaster relief. Our strategic philanthropic programs draw on GE’s culture of leadership, performance and accountability, as we seek to make a significant and lasting impact.
Almost 50 years ago, the GE Foundation gave its first large grant to the United Negro College Fund. Today, we invest in improving education by working to increase both access and achievement. Through targeted partnerships, we are helping to increase college and career readiness by supporting and advocating for the Common Core State Standards in the United States. Outside of the United States, we fund programs like Junior Achievement.
In developing-world hospitals, where nearly 70% of medical equipment is out of service, the GE Foundation is working to build capacity to overcome this by training technicians to repair and maintain the much-needed medical equipment. We recently celebrated the graduation of the first class of biomedical technicians from a unique three-year program in Rwanda. We fund similar programs in Ghana, Cambodia and Honduras.
From providing humanitarian relief in times of crisis to creating sustainable solutions to environmental issues like unsafe drinking water—the GE Foundation is supported by the ideas, inspiration and generosity of our employees, who have a strong commitment to corporate citizenship.
In 2011, the entire GE family—including businesses, employees, retirees and the GE Foundation—contributed $198 million to global community and educational needs, more than $115 million of which came from the GE Foundation.
As we continue to seek innovative ways to respond to pressing needs, we look forward to working closely with organizations dedicated to building strong communities. Together, we can make a difference now and for generations to come.
Robert L. Corcoran
President & Chairman, GE Foundation