GE today announced that the GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of General Electric Company, has awarded Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) a five-year grant of $20 million, the largest-ever single corporate contribution to the Milwaukee Public School system. The grant will support Milwaukee Public School initiatives to improve academic achievement and better prepare students for college and career opportunities, with a focus on math and science programs. The grant is part of the GE Foundation Developing Futures? in Education program, an initiative to ensure that U.S. students are equipped to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy.

?GE understands that America's position as a leader in innovation and industry depends on the strength of today's students and our education system,? said Bob Corcoran, president and chairman of the GE Foundation. ?Developing Futures is an important commitment to bolstering math and science education in our schools, equipping students with skills to continue in higher education and become leaders in the global economy.?

Milwaukee Public Schools will use the grant to develop a rigorous, system-wide math and science curriculum. The grant also represents an investment in Milwaukee Public Schools' teachers, who will receive professional assistance for career advancement as well as training programs designed to foster new ideas and approaches to teaching and mentoring students in their classrooms. The grant will also involve an ongoing relationship with GE Volunteers, who will commit time and resources for special mathematics and science projects involving real-world scenarios and problem solving.

?This announcement takes the partnership between GE and MPS to a new level,? said Marcelo Mosci, president and CEO of GE Healthcare Americas. ?Decades of engagement between GE employees and the teachers, administrators and students at MPS have proven to be an amazing experience, and we are confident that this grant will only serve to strengthen that partnership and provide even greater value to the GE families in Milwaukee.?

"The GE Foundation grant will help us provide our students with cutting-edge resources and educational programs that will better position many for college and, ultimately, careers as our nation's future engineers, doctors and scientists," said Gregory Thornton, Ed.D., superintendent, Milwaukee Public Schools. "We are deeply grateful to GE and the GE Foundation for their commitment to Milwaukee's young students and for partnering with our city's educators to improve the state of our schools and, in turn, our communities."

The Milwaukee Public School District is comprised of 184 schools, including 118 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 40 high schools and 18 schools with combined grades. The GE Foundation grant from the Developing Futures program will impact the education of the students throughout Milwaukee, deepening the company's commitment to the local community where GE has approximately 6,300 employees based.

Milwaukee is the seventh city to participate in the Developing Futures program, joining Atlanta, Ga., Cincinnati, Ohio, Erie, Pa., Jefferson County, Ky., New York City, N.Y. and Stamford, Conn. The GE Foundation Developing Futures program was launched in September 2005 as an expansion of the College Bound School Program, which started in 1989. The expanded program seeks to invest resources to improve math and science achievement in public schools and better prepare students for college and professional careers. For more information on the Developing Futures program, go to www.gefoundation.com.

Live interviews available during the announcement event Jan. 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM CT. Best visual at Samuel Morse ? John Marshall School for the Gifted and Talented. MPS media contact Roseann St. Aubin can be reached at (414) 531-0213 and staubin@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

ABOUT THE GE FOUNDATION

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, 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 THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is the largest public school district in the State of Wisconsin, providing educational services to approximately 82,000 students in 184 schools located across the City of Milwaukee. With almost 10,000 full-time staff members, MPS is considered one of the largest employers in Milwaukee.

GE Healthcare
Susan Bro-Lear, 262-290-7702
susan.bro-lear@ge.com
or
GE Foundation
Frank Mantero, 203-373-3534
Frank.mantero@ge.com