Media Contact: Marita Salkowski
513-477-1694 | Marita.salkowski@redcross.org

Cincinnati, Ohio, March 16, 2026 — The American Red Cross of Central & Southern Ohio gratefully recognizes the GE Aerospace Foundation for its large incremental gifts totaling 1.7 million dollars to support Red Cross disaster relief efforts. These recent donations from the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company’s foundation are part of its on-going and long-term commitment to the American Red Cross, both on a local and national level.

“I cannot say enough about the significant way the GE Aerospace Foundation has stepped up to support the American Red Cross,” said Emily Fortman, Interim Regional Chief Executive Officer of the Central & Southern Ohio Region. “This substantial financial contribution will help ensure we are best positioned to assist individuals and families when disaster strikes here at home, around the country and abroad. It is with the remarkable support of corporations like GE Aerospace that the Red Cross is able to carry out its mission.”

Annual Disaster Giving Program The largest portion of the donation is pledged to the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). Through this program corporations, like the GE Aerospace Foundation, make essential contributions in advance of disasters, powering the Red Cross with a strong infrastructure, trained volunteers, innovative technology, and critical resources necessary to provide immediate relief and support when needed.  By making this proactive donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief, GE Aerospace helps ensure the organization is prepared to meet the needs of people affected by disasters big and small here at home and across the U.S.

The Red Cross responds to more than 65,000 disasters across the nation every year — mobilizing a team every eight minutes — providing relief, comfort, and hope to people during what can be the worst days of their lives. As large disasters like wildfires, tornados and hurricanes increase in frequency and intensity, donations from ADGP members continue to fuel Red Cross readiness and build response capacity in times of crisis.

Hurricane Helene Donation In October of 2024, GE Aerospace donated $250,000 to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Their financial support helped the Red Cross coordinate emergency shelters, meals, relief supplies, financial assistance, health services, and emotional support in Western North Carolina and surrounding states, where hundreds of thousands of people faced dire conditions following record rainfall and flash flooding that swept away thousands of homes and key infrastructure— even wiping out entire towns.

International Services Donation A signification portion of the donation from the GE Aerospace Foundation is allocated to Red Cross International Services. As part of the world’s largest humanitarian network—comprising of nearly 200 Red Cross and Red Crescent partner agencies—the American Red Cross International Services brings critical support to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Each year, nearly 120 million people outside the U.S. benefit from Red Cross disaster services. Preparedness efforts include training at-risk families in coastal and earthquake-prone regions, educating children, and equipping communities with tools to better withstand disasters. Through partnerships, Red Cross International Services provides financial resources, technical assistance, and essential relief items in the wake of crises.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/cincinnati and join us on X and Facebook @ARCcsor

About the GE Aerospace Foundation:
The GE Aerospace Foundation, an independent charitable organization funded by GE Aerospace, complements the company’s purpose to “lift people up” in communities where employees live and work around the world. The Foundation’s philanthropic strategy and programs focus on engineering education, workforce development, and disaster relief. We also support GE Aerospace employees through programs such as Matching Gifts and Star Awards. When GE Aerospace launched as an independent company in 2024, the GE Foundation was relaunched as the GE Aerospace Foundation, commencing a new chapter that builds on the successful, 100+ year legacy of the previous GE Foundation. Learn more at www.geaerospace.com/company/philanthropy.