GE Pledges $2.5 Million to Haiti Relief

FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In response to the recent tragedy in Haiti, GE announced a company-wide US$2.5 million commitment to support relief and recovery efforts in the region. To date, grants from the GE Foundation have been made to the American Red Cross for US $1 million and to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for US$500,000. GE's contributions to both organizations will provide immediate support to emergency response efforts and bring needed relief to the millions of impacted Haitians.

To ensure the highest quality of impact, GE will work with its partners on the ground to assess response efforts and determine next steps to help restore infrastructure and services to the impacted areas.

In addition to this commitment, the GE Foundation— the philanthropic organization of GE— is supporting the charitable efforts of GE employees and retirees with a 100% match of funds to qualified relief organizations. The GE Foundation created the concept of a corporate matching gift program in 1954 to support employees in their personal philanthropy by providing a dollar-for-dollar match. In addition to disaster relief efforts, the program supports employee gifts in areas such as social services, disease research, environmental organizations, hospitals, museums and more.

“Recognizing the overwhelming blow this disaster has brought to the Haitian people and the country’s infrastructure, GE is committed to help the region in this critical time of need,” said Bob Corcoran, vice president of GE Foundation. “The generosity and activation of our employees is inspiring and the GE Foundation is proud to match their philanthropic efforts.”

With an active history of support to disaster relief efforts around the world, GE remains committed to assisting those in need.

About the GE Foundation

The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to solve some of the world’s most difficult problems. In coordination with its partners, it supports U.S. and international education, developing health globally, the environment, public policy, human rights and disaster relief. In addition, the GE Foundation supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2009, the entire GE family — including businesses, employees, retirees and GE Foundation — contributed more than an estimated $220 million to community and educational programs, including more than $100 million from GE Foundation. For more information, visit www.gefoundation.com.

About GE

GE GE is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.