General Motors gives $225,000 in grants to local nonprofits

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – General Motors held a ceremony to recognize six nonprofits that go beyond the community to serve residents.

They’re giving $225,000 in grants to several community organizations. The General Motors Community Impact Grant, given to those who’ve made a significant impact in communities, is returning the favor.

“Today, we are able to join together the people who help the community in two main focus areas; one is STEAM education and what I like to call sourcing for the next generation of problem solvers but it’s also workforce development,” said Ray Theriault, the corvette plant director for General Motors.

Six organizations were chosen, and each business had the chance to discuss what the funds will be used for.

“We’ve done this for many years. In fact, in the last five years from 2021 to 2025, we’ve donated over one million dollars,” Theriault said.

Bike Walk BG is using funds for intersection improvements.

The Warren County Public Schools Impact Center is purchasing a new robot to help students with secondary development.

Lost River Cave is receiving $25,000 from the grant and is using the funds as a scholarship.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Foundation, United way of Southern Kentucky and the Governor’s Scholars Program are also recipients of the grant.

Katie Cielieski, the executive director of philanthropy for Lost River Cave, said the grant will help fund the Lost River Cave Discovery Fund.

“It’s going to provide over 1,600 students in this area, title one students within an 80-mile range, free field trips to Lost River Cave,” Katie said.

She said the partnerships with General Motors and watching businesses come together in unity is what south-central Kentucky is all about.

“It’s an amazing group. It’s an incredible room to be in. The energy is so positive, all the good that’s being done. It’s an ecosystem. We’re all a team and we do amazing things together,” she said.