North Carolina Nonprofit Groups Received More Than $437,000 in 2006 From Verizon Foundation to Support Literacy, Education and Domestic Violence Initiatives

RALEIGH, N.C. - Verizon's commitment to the North Carolina communities it serves proved strong in 2006 through grants for a broad range of programs to improve literacy and education, combat domestic violence and improve health care through the use of technology.

In 2006, the Verizon Foundation - the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications - provided $437,092 in grants to 225 nonprofit groups in North Carolina, through grants awarded by both the competitive grant process and through the Verizon Volunteers program, which rewards employees with matching gifts and grants to nonprofits that employees donate to and support.  Last year, Verizon employees volunteered 7,377 hours to nonprofit groups across the state.

"Verizon has a long-standing record of working to improve the communities in which we operate by serving our customers well and supporting organizations that strive to make a difference in those communities," said Alan Ciamporcero, president of Verizon's southeast region.  "By supporting these worthy organizations and the volunteer spirit of our employees, we are making a difference in the lives of people across North Carolina."

Among the grants awarded by Verizon in 2006 were:

• North Carolina Central University - $20,000 for an educational program to help high school students better prepare for college courses in math, science, engineering and technology.

• Durham's Partnership for Children - $9,900 for a project to gather data for an action plan to address school readiness, with an emphasis on the Hispanic community.
• Duke University Book Festival - $10,000 for a three-day book festival in downtown Durham.
• Rescue Missions Ministries - $9,900 for a counseling and education program for victims of domestic abuse.
• Durham Literacy Center - $7,500 for production of a promotional video highlighting the organization's history, programs and volunteers.

The Verizon Foundation is committed to improving literacy and K-12 education; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health-care delivery.  In 2006, the foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions. Under the foundation's Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the nation's largest employee-volunteer programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly 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 more than 59 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which operates one of the most expansive wholly owned global IP networks, and Verizon Telecom, which is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 242,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

####