Fun Fact Friday: GM Foundation Drives the Midwest

October 26, 2012 10:48 am CT

At General Motors, everything starts and ends with great cars, trucks and crossovers. Our product lineup has simply never been better (think Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac ATS, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia Denali) and we are laser-focused on our customers like never before.

While our lineup is certainly impressive, what I am most proud of as a GM employee is our extraordinary track record of giving back through the GM Foundation.

Over the past decade alone, the GM Foundation has donated more than $350 million nationally to support programs within four key areas: education, health and human services, the environment and energy, and community development. In the past five years, the Foundation contributed nearly $1 million regionally to Illinois nonprofits.

The  GM Foundation made the largest grant in its history last year – $27.1 million – to the United Way of Southeastern Michigan to raise graduation rates from roughly 50 percent to 80 percent in seven Detroit area schools, and to create a viable workforce for Detroit’s future. The grant funds the creation of a “Network of Excellence” within seven metro Detroit area high schools, enabling smaller classroom sizes and more personalized attention to help students reach their goals.

I’m one of many “teamGM Cares” employee volunteers (learn about our recent efforts with GMC and a Chicago urban garden here). Scores of us have been helping out around various cities in many ways: mentoring, leading career days, participating in beautification activities, collecting supplies and working as part of “champions councils” designed to help the “Network of Excellence” schools.

Our brands get involved, too. Together with the GM Foundation, Chevrolet works with SafeKids USA® to help customers learn how to properly install child seats, help prevent hyperthermia deaths and educate owners regarding child passenger safety. They’re also promoting Breast Cancer Awareness this month. In addition, the GM Foundation awarded nearly $13 million in scholarships to students who excel in the classroom and community as part of the Buick Achievers Scholarships program. “Buick Achievers” are students who go above and beyond but lack the financial resources to pursue higher education.

There’s so much more to GM than vehicles, stock prices and profit – it’s the people who work here, and their dedication and commitment to helping our brands stand for something meaningful. After all, we’re all in this thing together.