The mission of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan is to mobilize the caring power of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan to improve communities and individual lives in measurable and lasting ways. This past year, the GM Foundation committed an unprecedented $27.1 million grant to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to do just that. This was the largest donation in the GM Foundation's 35-year history. The funds will create a "Network of Excellence" in seven metro-Detroit high schools, including:
- Central High School (Detroit)
- East Detroit High School
- Hamtramck High School
- Harper Woods High School
- Henry Ford High School (Detroit)
- River Rough High School
- Madison High School
The grant enabled the creation of smaller classrooms, more personalized attention for high school students and a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and math curricula.
The goal of this effort is to increase graduation rates by 30 percent over the next five years. In doing so, the partnership between the GM Foundation and the United Way will help prepare students for tomorrow’s leadership roles, and it will help provide Michigan with a highly qualified future workforce.
