Bell Atlantic and Monroe College Host Seminars for Non-profit Agencies

Bell Atlantic and Monroe College Host Seminars for Non-profit Agencies

Programs Provide 'How-to' Guide for Getting Funding On-Line

September 30, 1998

NEW YORK -- Non-profit organizations looking for new ways to fund
community programs will find help at several seminars this week
sponsored by Bell Atlantic and Monroe College.

The programs will help non-profit agencies not affiliated with the United
Way find potential sources for grants through the Internet and show them
how to submit their applications on-line.

"Non-profit organizations are facing greater challenges in getting the funds
they need for their community programs and services," said John Butler,
Bell Atlantic Community Outreach manager. "They must identify
alternate funding sources to survive. The Internet is an excellent tool for
finding and obtaining financial support."

Marc Jerome, Monroe College vice president, said, "We are pleased to
offer our computer technology, Internet access and expertise to assist non-
profit agencies to acquire funding as part of our community services."
More than 20 non-profits will attend two grant writing workshops via the
Internet this week. The seminars will take place at two Monroe College
facilities: the Bronx campus at 2501 Jerome Ave. on Oct. 1, from 2 to 4:30
p.m., and the New Rochelle campus at 434 Main St. on Oct. 2, from 1 to 4
p.m. Representatives from non-profit organizations will receive advice on
accessing grantmakers' web sites and guidance on how to apply for a Bell
Atlantic Foundation grant.

Butler said a pilot seminar in July was well-received by administrators of
several organizations. "Many times these groups are given computer
equipment, but the training and the 'how-to' are missing. These seminars
will help people use computers and the Internet to further their own
causes."

The seminars will focus on four key elements of on-line grant writing:

-- background information that will strengthen the grant proposal,

-- a funding request that includes the primary purpose for a grant,

-- the need or problem that the organization is seeking to address and

-- an explanation of how the organization will measure the effectiveness of
its activities.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines
and more than seven million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic
companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data
services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest
publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also
among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications
markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.