São Paulo, BRAZIL – April 19, 2021 – The GE Foundation today announced a US$350,000 COVID-19 Community Response Grant to Gerando Falcões and +Unidos, two community organizations dedicated to improving quality of life in the favelas. The grant supports the organization’s Emergency Hunger Relief initiative, which is providing food assistance to families in Brazil impacted by the pandemic. The funding will help 6,600 families with access to two months’ worth of food, such as rice, beans, pasta and oil, for example. To date, the organizations have raised US$2.7 million of its US$4.4 million goal.
“The GE Foundation is proud to work with Gerando Falcões and +Unidos to support Brazilian families facing unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Linda Boff, President, GE Foundation, and Vice President for GE.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted vulnerable communities in Brazil, reducing access to basic food supplies. We are proud to support the Brazilian population through Gerando Falcões and +Unidos to fight hunger. The challenges are large and require a collective engagement, so please join us in this cause,” said Viveka Kaitila, President of GE in Brazil.
“We could not have received better news than the announcement made by the GE Foundation to donate US$350,000 to fight hunger for thousands of people across Brazil. There are almost R$2 million that will help us distribute more digital food baskets and reduce the suffering of families living in the favelas. I thank GE for believing in our project and reviving the spirit of solidarity in all of us,” said Edu Lyra, CEO and Founder, Gerando Falcões.
“GE Foundation's commitment to Brazil is extremely relevant and is in line with the initiatives of the + Unidos Group, which is proud of the creation of the UNA + Fund. With this grant, more than R$10 million has been invested during the pandemic. We exist to mobilize companies in order to better articulate private investment with the needs of the population that has become even more vulnerable in the face of this terrible scenario,” said Daniel Grynberg, Executive Director, + Unidos Group.
GE and GE Foundation are working to combat COVID-19 worldwide. GE Foundation pledged financial support to the World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, helped deliver personal protective equipment to U.S. healthcare workers in urgent need, and worked to shore up healthcare systems in Southeast Asia and Africa with trainings, infrastructure, and equipment. Learn more at www.ge.com/about-us/covid-19.
About Gerando Falcões
Gerando Falcões is an ecosystem for social development. We function as a chain of non-governmental organizations, networking, accelerating and empowering Favela Leaders’ to create a bigger impact – achieving a common dream: to end existing inequality in the Favelas. Gerando Falcões is helping Brazil build a more prosperous future for its own people.
About +Unidos
+Unidos Group is a collaborative social investment fund formed by Brazilian multinational corporations, in partnership with USAID (United States Agency for International Development). Our focus in the public education and professional improvement of young Brazilians. We aim to boost educational and professional development projects for the work market of the 21st century.
About GE Foundation
GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GE, is committed to transforming our communities and shaping the diverse workforce of tomorrow by leveraging the power of GE. GE Foundation is developing skills by bringing innovative learning in community health globally and STEM education, scaling what works, and building sustainable solutions. GE Foundation is inspiring others to act by connecting GE people with communities through matching gifts, leading on emerging issues such as the opiate crisis, and convening community leaders to maximize our impact. Learn more at www.gefoundation.com or follow the us on Twitter at @GE_Foundation.
Gerando Falcões
Josiene Santana
[email protected]
+Unidos
Daniel Grynberg
[email protected]
GE Brazil & Latin America
Juliana Souza
[email protected]
GE Foundation
Jeff Caywood
[email protected]