Verizon Offers $25,000 in Grant Opportunities for Georgia Nonprofits Addressing Internet Safety

Verizon Offers $25,000 in Grant Opportunities for Georgia Nonprofits Addressing Internet Safety

Application Deadline of June 30 for Interested Organizations

ATLANTA -- The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is seeking grant proposals from nonprofit organizations involved in programs that address Internet safety.

Eligible groups can submit proposals online and compete for grants totaling from $1,000 to $25,000.  The goals of the proposals must be to promote Internet safety and help protect people from online predators and scams, and address online safety in general.  Preference will be given to programs that address children or seniors and feature a technology component.  Grant proposals must be submitted at www.verizon.com/foundation by midnight June 30.  Applicants should click on the "apply online" link, then on the link marked "click here to begin," and then insert the invitation code: 294Y98MSP6. 

To qualify for funding, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing programs that serve Georgia residents.  Verizon will announce grant recipients by July 30.

"The Internet's dynamic features also make it a convenient vehicle for those who intend to take advantage of innocent consumers," said Michelle Robinson, Verizon's senior vice president of the Southern region.  "As one of the principal providers of online services in America, Verizon is educating and encouraging consumers to use safe practices while online.  We are hopeful this request for proposals will produce great opportunities for Verizon to support."

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 60.7 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 has a diverse workforce of more than 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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