Massachusetts Nonprofits Received $2.1 Million in Verizon Foundation Grants During 2007

BOSTON - A total of 190 nonprofit groups in Massachusetts received nearly $2.1 million from the Verizon Foundation in 2007, enabling the organizations to improve literacy skills, create new and diverse approaches to technology-based education, and help domestic violence victims rebuild their lives.

Additionally, hundreds more nonprofit organizations received $1 million through the Verizon Volunteer and Matching Incentive programs, bringing total foundation support for Massachusetts to more than $3.1 million.  Verizon volunteers also donated more than 36,000 hours of personal time to community programs.

"Verizon's philanthropy addresses the critical social needs of the Commonwealth," said Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  "Our foundation is making strategic investments to improve the quality of life in our communities - where our customers and employees live and work.

"Projects that advance the fundamental skill of literacy, apply technology to augment organizational capabilities, and protect the vulnerable tie directly into the Verizon Foundation's mission of making a difference," Cupelo said.

Major grant programs include:

• English as a Second Language Technology Awards: The Boston Adult Literacy Fund; Cambridge College; Framingham Adult ESL Plus; Mass Career Development Institute, Springfield; the United Neighbors of Cleghorn, Fitchburg; and the Worcester Public Library received grants to improve their ESL programs.

• Domestic Violence Technology Solutions: Casa Myrna Vasquez, Boston; Close to Home, Dorchester; Domestic Violence Services of Central Middlesex, Concord; Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project, Boston; Jane Doe Inc., Boston; New Bedford Women's Shelter; Portal to Hope, Everett; REACH  Beyond Domestic Violence, Waltham; Wayside Youth and Family Support Center, Framingham; Womanshelter/Compañeras, Springfield; YWCA of Greater Lawrence; and Women of Means, Wellesley received grants to use technology to more effectively serve victims of domestic violence.
• Assistive Technology Grants: Deaf Enterprises Inc., Quincy; Easter Seals of Massachusetts, Worcester; New England Home for the Deaf, Danvers; and Northeast Veterans Resource Center, Boston received grants to that use technology to help meet the needs of people with disabilities.
• Thinkfinity.org: The Massachusetts Department of Education and Lesley University received a grant to train teachers to use its new online, curriculum resource tool, Thinkfinity.org. 
• Internet Safety: The Molly Bish Center for the Protection of Children and the Elderly was awarded a grant to support an Internet Crimes Against Children Intervention and Prevention Training Project.

The Verizon Foundation supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2007, the Foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The Foundation also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $25.1 million in combined contributions. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 66 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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