United Way Recognizes General Motors with Top National Award for Community Impact

Tuesday, United Way Worldwide honored General Motors with a Summit award for community impact. The award recognizes GM and the GM Foundation for its support of United Way and for making a measurable impact in metro Detroit and communities across the country.

In 2011, the GM Foundation made its largest gift ever – a transformational $27.1 million grant to United Way of Southeastern Michigan. The grant created a “Network of Excellence” within seven Metro Detroit high schools and is designed to have a positive impact on students and increase graduation rates from 50% to 80% over five years. In addition to this significant grant, GM employees contributed more than $6 million through the company’s United Way campaign.

“GM continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership toward addressing our nation’s education challenges, starting at home in Southeastern Michigan,” said Brian Gallagher, United Way Worldwide president and CEO. “United Way is honored to recognize GM with this prestigious award for the tremendous impact they’ve had in our communities.”

To augment the $27.1 million grant, GM’s new teamGM Cares employee volunteer program supports the “Network of Excellence” schools. Efforts include tapping GM employees to serve on the Champions Councils, mentoring programs and other initiatives. GM is also engaging students with an attendance challenge that awards the most improved high school with a celebrity principal for a day.

In addition to these efforts, the company’s GMC division teamed up with United Way to build United Way Healthy Kids Zones in nine NFL markets across the country using a portion of the $264,000 raised from the GMC-United Way Super Bowl package auction along with the support of 3,000 volunteers. Additionally, Chevrolet donated 13 vehicles valued at $400,000 to United Ways across Alabama to assist in storm recovery efforts in 2011.

“This honor is significant as it recognizes GM and the GM Foundation’s efforts to be a catalyst for change,” said Vivian Pickard, president of the GM Foundation and GM’s director of Corporate Relations. “Through our continued partnership with United Way, we will work to improve education and positively impact the lives and communities we touch.”

The Spirit of America and Summit Awards program, celebrating its 25th year, is United Way’s highest national honor for corporations, recognizing United Way Global Corporate Leaders with the most comprehensive commitments to strengthening communities. Applicants are evaluated by corporate peers and local United Ways. Join the conversation on Twitter using hash tag #SpiritofAmerica or visit unitedway.org/SOA.

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.

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 2000. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.

About United Way

United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org.