WiM receive $100,000 grant from the GE Foundation

Minneapolis, Minnesota – Women in Manufacturing (WiM) officials announced the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the GE Foundation. The grant was announced at the fifth annual WiM SUMMIT held in September 2015.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant from the GE Foundation,” said Women in Manufacturing President Allison Grealis. “The growth of the manufacturing sector is vital to the American economy. As a result, this grant from the GE Foundation is truly an investment in women’s education and leadership and also in the strength of American manufacturing.” 

WiM is the only national organization specifically dedicated to supporting women in the manufacturing sector with year-round programming and a national directory for women in the industry. 

The GE Foundation grant will support important WiM initiatives including regional and national programming and, in particular, new continuing education opportunities for women in the manufacturing sector. 

“This funding is critical for supporting our efforts to develop and deliver high impact educational opportunities for women in manufacturing,” said Grealis. “Many available programs for personal and career advancement are simply too expensive for women working in small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. But we know that these women – and these companies – could really benefit from enhanced and sector-specific skills development programs and leadership training. This grant will make all the difference in allowing WiM to provide effective and affordable educational opportunities to support the advancement of women in manufacturing.” 

“This grant to Women in Manufacturing is part of our Developing Skills program,” said Kelli Wells, GE Foundation executive director, education, and skills. “At the GE Foundation, we are striving to strengthen the economy by narrowing the gap between skills acquisition and the needs of the labor market. By partnering with organizations like WiM we are helping to support women and working to establish a leadership pipeline within manufacturing.” 

Source: WiM