Verizon Awards More Than $330,000 in Grants To Wisconsin Nonprofit Organizations

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. - Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, gave more than $330,000 in grants to nonprofit groups throughout Wisconsin last year, reaffirming its commitment to improving literacy and technology education. The grants supported a broad range of literacy, workforce development, community technology and human service programs.

"In today's tight economy, nonprofit organizations need financial assistance now more than ever," said Dan Matson, Verizon vice president - regulatory and government affairs. "Verizon's grants underscore our long-standing goal of improving the communities we serve and our commitment to providing excellent service to our customers."

Recipients of major grants include:
• Forward Wisconsin -- $25,000 to facilitate programs that attract new businesses, jobs and increased economic activity in Wisconsin.

• The United Way of Dane County -- $36,000 to provide computer access and computer literacy training at several Dane County Youth Resource Centers.

• Tomahawk Middle School -- $50,000 to equip a modular learning center where students can explore a variety of technologies such as alternative energy, robotics and automation, construction technology, electronics technology aerodynamics and basic electricity.

Six agencies received $10,000 each in support of their literacy programs: Jefferson County Literacy Council, Stateline Literacy Council - Beloit, Literacy Council of Brown County, Adams-Friendship School District, Literacy Council of Wood County and Nicolet College Foundation.

Other Verizon grant recipients included American Cancer Society Midwest Division, American Folklore Theatre, American Players Theatre of Wisconsin, Antigo School District, Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area, Center for Advanced Studies in Business, CEO II Inc., Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Colonial Club, Hodan Center, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, Marathon County Public Library Foundation, Marshfield Area United Way, Marshfield Clinic and MCDEVCO.

Verizon also provided grants to New Visions Gallery, Northcentral Technical College Foundation, Pecatonica Educational Charitable Foundation, Plymouth Area United Way, Plymouth Public Schools, Sun Prairie Chamber Foundation, WMC Foundation, United Way of Marathon County, University of Wisconsin Foundation - Madison, Wausau Area Performing Arts Foundation, Wisconsin Academic Decathlon Foundation and Wisconsin Women in Government.

In addition, over $38,000 was awarded to 52 agencies statewide through Verizon Volunteers, a program that encourages Verizon employees to volunteer in their communities and provides matching gifts to the nonprofit organizations that employees support.

Verizon 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. 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 132.1 million access line equivalents and 29.4 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 247,000 employees, 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.

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