GE's commitment to performance with integrity includes a commitment not only to proper governance but also to compliance with financial and legal rules, regulations and standards. Financial and legal rules comprise a framework in which a company's performance can be measured with confidence. GE operates within such a framework as described in the following section.

The core of our philanthropic effort is the GE Foundation. For more than 50 years, the Foundation has invested in programs based on a fundamental premise: a quality education ushers in a lifetime of opportunity, which helps build a strong and diverse citizenry and workforce.

All over the world, GE people reach out to strengthen the communities where they live and work. GE volunteers contribute more than one million hours of service annually, making an impact on education, human services and the environment. From building playgrounds in disadvantaged neighborhoods to mentoring students and assisting the elderly, people at GE make a difference year-round.