Verizon Foundation Seeks South Carolina Applicants For Literacy Grants

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in South Carolina are invited to compete for $47,000 in literacy grants offered by Verizon Foundation this year.

Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is soliciting grant applications from nonprofits that are pursuing innovative projects to improve family, adult, early childhood, K-12, and computer literacy. Interested organizations and institutions should apply online through the Verizon Web site at www.verizon.com/foundation.

To qualify for funding, applicants must be classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a valid Internal Revenue Service tax ID. Schools must have a current National Center for Education Statistics school and district registration to qualify.

Verizon Foundation will give strong preference to projects that meet the following criteria:
• Broaden the capacity of the literacy provider through the advancement of technology;
• Bring awareness to the literacy issue;
• Serve diverse racial and ethnic communities, people with disabilities and other under-served groups.

"We encourage nonprofit organizations that meet our funding criteria to apply online," said Harold Barron, Verizon's director of public affairs for South Carolina. "The economic health of South Carolina depends on a skilled and literate work force. We are dedicated to the fight for a more literate America through meaningful programs that help people gain the skills they need to compete in today's workplace."

Verizon Foundation accepts proposals only through its Web site. Mailed or faxed proposals will not be accepted. Nonprofits who do not have Internet access can request an "eGrant" from the foundation in the amount of $240 to pay for Internet access from the company of their choice. Proposals are due by midnight March 14 and recipients will be announced in April. Organizations applying should use the code 1947JC2RW5 when logging on the foundation's Web site.

Verizon Foundation is committed to helping Verizon employees, customers and the communities in which they work and live make progress every day. The foundation supports a variety of programs that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, bridging the digital divide, enriching communities through technology and creating a skilled work force. The foundation promotes partnerships in technology with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and socially disadvantaged. The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, an incentive program that encourages Verizon employees to volunteer in their communities and provides matching gifts to nonprofit organizations. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation on the Internet.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and more than 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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