Verizon Foundation Offers $75,000 in Grant OpportunitiesTo Delaware Educational Institutions and Nonprofit Groups

WILMINGTON, Del. - The Verizon Foundation is seeking grant proposals from nonprofit organizations and educational institutions for innovative technology programs that enhance learning opportunities for Delaware pupils in kindergarten through the 12th grade.

Eligible groups can submit proposals online and compete for grants totaling up to $75,000 to fund programs that most effectively match the foundation's literacy and technology focus.

"Delaware's schools are our future, and mastery of technology skills is vitally important to future success for our young people," said William Allan, president of Verizon Delaware. "With these grants, we are encouraging educators to develop new ways to use technology to create opportunities for students to achieve that success. Verizon has invested billions of dollars in the region's economy, and we are deeply committed to the communities we serve."

Proposals for the Delaware technology grants must be submitted through the Verizon Foundation's Web site, www.verizon.com/foundation, no later than midnight, June 30, 2005. Applicants should click on the "apply on line" link, then on the link marked "click here to begin," and then add the invitation code, 825GMXB8KH.

To qualify for funding, applicants must be a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization or an accredited educational institution providing educational programs that serve Delaware pupils in kindergarten through the 12th grade. Verizon expects to announce decisions on these grant applications by July 25.

The Verizon Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications. In 2004, the foundation awarded more than 26,000 grants totaling more than $70 million to charitable and nonprofit agencies that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, enriching communities through technology, and creating a skilled work force. The foundation uses its resources in the United States and abroad to develop partnerships in technology and connect them with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and the economically and socially disadvantaged.

The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, an incentive program that last year encouraged Verizon employees to volunteer 528,000 hours in their communities and provided $37.6 million in combined contributions to charitable and nonprofit organizations. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of 214,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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