GE Foundation

The GE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of GE, invests to improve the quality of education and access to it.

Recently, the GE Foundation has awarded over $560,000 in grants in the UK, in the following areas:

• A scholarship programme for university students in the UK. Run by the Institute of International Education, each year this scholarship provides financial support to approximately 15 university students who have demonstrated academic excellence as well as financial need. This year's winners are pursuing degrees in economics, management, engineering or technology. Each student takes part in community projects, shadows a business leader and attends a skills seminar in London as part of the programme
  
  
• Starting this year, a UK flagship project in conjunction with HTI (Heads, Teachers and Industry) to support academically bright pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The programme aims to see that those young people receive opportunities in and beyond their schools with support from GE volunteers based at GE locations across the UK. Activities will be based on the interests and experiences of GE staff and support the extension of the school curriculum. Volunteers will act as mentors and widen the horizons of the young people with whom they are working
  
  
• Mathematics resource development. The grant has enabled Stemnet to develop innovative material for its Achievement in Maths project, which is designed to help borderline students to pass this subject at GCSE. GE volunteers are assisting with the pilots in schools in Hounslow, Bristol and Leeds
   
• Establishment of new after school clubs run by The Prince’s Trust. Known as xl clubs, activities are aimed at 16-18 year olds who are struggling at school. The sessions are designed to build confidence, improve team working and encourage young people to take responsibility for their learning. GE employees from Amersham, Cardiff and Leeds have also helped to deliver the programme  
   
• Young Enterprise programmes in primary and secondary schools. GE is a global supporter of Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise. In the UK, our funding gives volunteers access to participating schools, training and the materials needed to deliver stimulating lessons on topics ranging from managing your money to running a business
   
• Excellence in Bristol schools is a pioneering project run by ABLAZE, with two donations from the GE Foundation. Nearly ever secondary school across Bristol is now partnered with a business and have gone through joint Six Sigma training run by professional trainers to improve their problem solving and project management skills and build sustainable partnerships. The GE partnership with Patchway Community College in north Bristol has led to a significant improvement in the performance of young people