WASHINGTON, DC -- The NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) will present its Corporate Leadership Award to General Motors, in recognition of the work of the General Motors Foundation, during the 16th annual Celebration of Service to America Awards, held Tuesday, June 17, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Each year, the Corporate Leadership Award is given to a non-broadcast business that exemplifies an extraordinary focus on community service and corporate social responsibility.
"Through strong, ongoing support of education, health, community development and environmental initiatives, General Motors and the General Motors Foundation have made a positive impact on American society," said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. "NABEF is pleased to present GM with the Corporate Leadership Award for its steadfast commitment to serving the public."
Formed in 1976, the GM Foundation over the past decade has granted more than $265 million in support of vital nonprofit organizations across the U.S.
"The GM Foundation is dedicated to making life better for communities across the U.S., and for the people who live there," said Selim Bingol, GM's senior vice president of Global Public Policy and Communications and chairman of the GM Foundation. "We thank NABEF for this special recognition and promise to continue trying to make a difference in the lives of Americans."
The GM Foundation's education initiatives include the national Buick Achievers Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 2011, the program, one of the largest in the country, has awarded $16.5 million in scholarships to 3,300 students pursuing college degrees within science, technology, engineering and mathematics, known as STEM, and those related to the automotive industry.
The GM Foundation has also long supported organizations and events that spark an interest in our nation's proud history. Most recently, the Foundation became a founding donor of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture through a $1 million grant. The donation will support the design and installation of the Museum's permanent exhibitions.
Closer to home, the GM Foundation in 2010 pledged its largest grant ever – $27.1 million to United Way for Southeastern Michigan – to turn around seven Detroit-area high schools and raise graduation rates from roughly 50 percent to 80 percent over five years. Nearly three full years into the initiative, attendance rates at all seven schools are reaching 90 percent, and ACT scores are rising. These are promising early indicators for increased graduation rates. The GM Foundation also recently granted $500,000 in support of the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan to create 16 preschool classrooms, making quality education possible for 256 children in Detroit's most challenged neighborhoods.
GM and the GM Foundation's commitment to education extends outside of the classroom to include child passenger safety. In 2013, the GM Foundation provided $2 million to Safe Kids Worldwide in support of the organization's national awareness programs that include "Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car" heatstroke campaign and the "Buckle Up: Every Ride, Every Time" seatbelt safety initiative.
From a community development perspective, the GM Foundation's Plant City Grants initiative last year alone awarded more than $1.4 million to nonprofit organizations in the cities where GM has business operations. In addition, the Foundation enjoyed a new relationship with Habitat for Humanity International, donating $1.5 million for revitalization projects in 12 cities across the U.S., as well as disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of the Texas tornadoes.
GM and the GM Foundation have a long history of supporting cancer research through donations to the Karmanos Cancer Institute. With a recent $400,000 contribution, the Foundation's and company's support of the Institute reached nearly $7.3 million over the last 17 years.
In the environmental space, over the past few years the GM Foundation provided more than $200,000 to Earth Force, Inc. to expand the Global Rivers Environmental Education Network program, also known as GM GREEN. As a result, GM and the GM Foundation together engaged 231 teamGM Cares employee volunteers from 42 GM facilities to work with 9,261 students and 167 educators from 112 schools to improve the understanding of local water resources.
For more information about the GM Foundation's involvement in communities across the U.S., please visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
Press interested in covering the event should contact Suzie Raven.
About The Celebration of Service to America Awards
The Celebration of Service to America Awards are sponsored and produced by NABEF with major support from Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., Bonneville International Corporation, and the National Association of Broadcasters. In recent years, singer, songwriter, musician and producer, Stevie Wonder; multiple award-winning actress Glenn Close; Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges; entertainment industry icon Quincy Jones; legendary rock star Sir Elton John; former President Bill Clinton; First Lady Laura Bush; Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani; boxing legend Muhammad Ali; former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter; former First Lady Nancy Reagan; among others have been presented with the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award at the event. Details about the Celebration of Service to America Awards are available at www.nabef.org/STA.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
About NABEF
The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to reinforcing the future of broadcasting through a commitment to education and to advancing excellence in the diversity and community service efforts of our industry. Learn more at www.nabef.org.
