GM Foundation Grants $2.5 Million to Focus: HOPE
Donation will help civil and human rights organization continue education programs
(3BL Media) Detroit, MI – March 15, 2012 – The General Motors Foundation is granting $2.5 million to the Focus: HOPE Fund for its education initiatives, specifically a program to help students earn engineering degrees through partnership with select universities.
The Foundation’s support of the fund totals more than $3.8 million.
The latest contribution was announced at the “Light for HOPE” Eleanor M. Josaitis Tribute dinner held Saturday, March 10, in Detroit. Josaitis, the co-founder of the civil rights and human rights organization, died last August at the age of 79.
The Foundation’s contribution to the Focus: HOPE Fund, a community campaign that was launched in 2005 to raise $100 million for the agency, will go to the Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT). The CAT program offers students, who may not have access to a college education, an opportunity to earn an engineering degree at select universities. Nearly 12,000 students have graduated from Focus: HOPE job training programs since 1981.
"Through our $2.5 million grant to Focus: HOPE, the General Motors Foundation continues its long-standing support of the organization's education initiatives," said Diana Tremblay, GM global chief manufacturing officer and a board member of the GM Foundation and Focus: HOPE. "This grant will continue the important work that Eleanor Josaitis began, and it will allow Focus: HOPE to continue its education programs that positively impact thousands in the Detroit community each year."
The donation to Focus: HOPE is part of the GM Foundation’s larger commitment to the city of Detroit and supporting local organizations dedicated to educating tomorrow’s innovators and leaders. Over the last decade, the GM Foundation has donated more than $50 million to organizations in metro Detroit to help improve education, increase access to cultural events and advance the overall quality of life within the community.
“We thank the General Motors Foundation for their partnership and continued support of Focus: HOPE, and for carrying on Eleanor's legacy,” said William F. Jones, Jr., CEO of Focus: HOPE. “This donation strengthens our community and helps prepare Detroit’s hardworking men and women for careers in engineering and other important fields.”
About the GM Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
