The General Motors Foundation is granting $2.5 million to the Focus: HOPE Fund for its education initiatives. The contribution will go to the Center for Advanced Technologies, which offers students who may not have access to a college education an opportunity to earn an engineering degrees at select universities. Since 1981, 12,000 students have graduated from Focus: HOPE job training programs. The grant brings the Foundation’s support of the fund to $3.8 million to date.

Brooks Sports has doubled its investment in its “Inspiring Coaches” program for 2012. This year’s program will honor 25 high school track and field coaches, and give product and monetary support to those chosen. The Brooks Inspiring Coaches initiative brings support and awareness to coaches who make special efforts to motivate their student runner-athletes. Brooks designs and markets performance footwear and apparel.

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