Four cultural organizations received a total of $13 million for educational programs from the Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of the auto maker.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Zoo each received $5 million from the fund, the largest corporate gifts the two have received. The Detroit Science Center got $1.5 million, while the Henry Ford Academy received $1.2 million.

The zoo will use the grant to build the Ford Environmental & Conservation Education Center, a 27,000-square-foot building that will house an auditorium, live exhibits, classrooms, laboratories and a multimedia center.

The money will also allow the Detroit Symphony and the city's High School for the Fine and Performing Arts to continue a partnership, the article reports. The partnership will include an expansion of programs such as performances between students and symphony musicians, private lessons, concert tickets and career counseling.

The Detroit Science Center will use the gift to build its Ford Learning Resource Center, part of a $25 million expansion. The Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school, will use its grant for operating support and program development.

Gary L. Nielsen, vice president and executive director of the Ford Fund, says the organization no longer funds arts and cultural groups unless they have education programs.

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