Verizon Awards More Than $130,000 in Grants To Nonprofit Organizations in Inland Northwest

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, has awarded more than $130,000 in grants this year to 19 nonprofit organizations in the Idaho Panhandle, Pullman, Spokane and Boise. The grants support a broad range of literacy, work force development, community technology and human service programs.

"These grants are part of Verizon's commitment to invest in the communities we serve," said Chrin Tarola, Verizon local manager based in Coeur d'Alene. "They are matched by our continuing commitment to provide our customers with superior telecommunications service."

The University of Idaho received $55,500 to support various programs, including the establishment of clinics and workshops for students at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and the "Internet Masters" program that teaches people in North Idaho how to the use the Internet. Some of the funding also will support a summer workshop for engineering, math and science students. Another grant will provide scholarships for minority and low-income students in computer science and engineering.

Verizon donated $20,000 to the Moscow Chamber Foundation to support an economic revitalization effort for downtown Moscow. In Sandpoint, the company gave $5,000 each to the Festival at Sandpoint and to the Employee Combined Humanitarian Organization, or ECHO, for local education and human service causes.

Three North Idaho literacy programs received funding. The company donated $5,000 to the "HEART" reading program in Kootenai County and another $2,000 to Project Twinkle for its "Hey Bear Cares" program, which visits elementary school classrooms to promote reading. The Adult Learning Center in Orofino received a $5,000 grant for its Adult Literacy Program to provide tutoring in basic reading and writing skills, English-as-a-second language instruction, and other assistance.

The United Way of Kootenai County received a $10,000 community technology development grant for digital office equipment. These grants help nonprofit organizations better serve their clients.

In Spokane, a $10,000 grant was provided to the new Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. The gift will help furnish the facility's Learning Center with computer and audio-visual equipment used by visiting students and adults. Other grants were issued to Junior Achievement, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Lilac Blind Foundation.

Verizon 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 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

2001 VERIZON GRANT RECIPIENTS IN THE
IDAHO PANHANDLE, PULLMAN, SPOKANE and BOISE

* Grant for scholarships serving five North Idaho students