Verizon Foundation to Award $1 Million in Grants To Non-profit Organizations in California

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - California non-profit organizations committed to improving literacy skills and narrowing the digital divide in underserved communities are invited to compete for $1 million in grants from Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications.

"We are eager to support creative and innovative initiatives that use technology to help create a skilled work force, provide opportunities for personal growth for the participants, and result in long-term, sustainable benefits for the community," said Tim McCallion, Verizon California president. "The economic health of the communities we serve depends on the having a skilled and literate workforce."

The request for proposal (RFP) encourages eligible 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for the grants to support programs designed to:
Literacy

• Build capacity to improve literacy organizations and their programs' business operations and access to the Internet

• Implement computer and Web-based literacy programs

• Focus on basic literacy that builds on reading skills for children and adults
  Digital Divide

• Assist schools and libraries to erase the digital divide

• Provide technical training centers for public access to the Internet

• To assist agencies with fully integrated technology systems to deliver client services more efficiently

The programs must benefit communities that serve low-income, ethnic, minority, limited English-speaking and disabled residents in California's rural and urban areas.

Grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 will be distributed over the next four years, beginning this year. Although multi-year grants may be awarded, one-year grants will be given preference in an effort to include more organizations. Preference also will be given to programs that benefit communities served by Verizon.

Grant proposals must be posted by May 31 and can be submitted in English or Spanish on the Verizon Foundation Web site (www.verizon.com/foundation) by using the invitation code 29J3A5664H.

Aug. 6 is the target date to announce final grant recipients.

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. 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 112 million access line equivalents and 27 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with approximately 260,000 employees and more than $65 billion in annual revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.