Verizon Foundation Awards $1 Million in Grants To 26 California Nonprofits

LOS ANGELES - Thousands of Californians will benefit from $1 million in grants presented today by Verizon to 26 nonprofit agencies throughout the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.

The one-year grants, ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 each, will fund literacy and workforce development programs that serve low-income, minority and disadvantaged Californians. (NOTE: A list of grant recipients appears at the end of the news release.)

Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, awarded the grants during a ceremony at the headquarters of Special Olympics Southern California, the recipient of a $50,000 grant for its Global Messengers Training program. The project provides training in computer skills and public speaking to Special Olympics athletes, allowing them to become more effective ambassadors for the Special Olympics program.

"The prosperity of the communities we serve depends on a literate, well-educated and technologically fluent workforce," said Tim McCallion, president of Verizon's Pacific Region. "Our $1 million commitment underscores our long-standing goal of improving these communities. Through our philanthropy, we support programs to improve literacy and workforce development. That commitment is matched by our commitment to provide superior service to our customers."

This year, Verizon Foundation will provide more than $4 million in grants, contributions and sponsorships to benefit communities in California.

Verizon Foundation is committed to helping people and communities 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.

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 135.1 million access line equivalents and 30.3 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 241,000 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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Click here for a list of grant recipients