GE Volunteers

GE Volunteers is a network of local councils that facilitate volunteer activities for GE employees and retirees around the world. The work of GE Volunteers improves lives and conditions in communities where GE people live and work, promotes GE values, develops business leaders and teams, and builds positive relationships between GE and the communities wherever we are located.

In 2010, more than 197 councils in 47 countries led 4,600 projects that ranged from cleanup, paint and fix to tutoring and skill-based involvement. In total, GE people contributed over 1,100,000 hours of volunteer service.

Projects are selected by local councils that build relationships with nonprofit partners locally. Corporate provides common project management tools and supplements local business funding. While many projects meet local, community-specific needs, councils mainly focus on projects related to education, health and the environment. GE affinity groups and other volunteers lead activities in many locations that also complement GE Foundation education and health programs.

The demographics of the network continuously evolve as businesses grow in developing markets, new organizations are acquired and businesses are divested. The common elements that transcend culture and geography are the GE values and that desire to make a difference, which are a part of GE people globally.