Verizon Foundation Offers $100,000 in Grants to Massachusetts Nonprofits Addressing Issue of Domestic Violence

BOSTON - The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is seeking grant proposals from nonprofit organizations that support survivors of domestic violence and aid in its prevention.

Through the 2009 Verizon Foundation Domestic Violence Solutions Awards Request for Proposals, nonprofit agencies in Massachusetts are invited to compete for 10 grants of $10,000 each to support domestic violence service initiatives.

To qualify for funding, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing programs that serve Massachusetts residents.

Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president of New England, said: "Domestic violence impacts the entire spectrum of society at all educational and socioeconomic levels.  The Verizon Foundation partners with nonprofit agencies to support domestic violence prevention and awareness programs and to provide services for survivors.  We are looking forward to helping nonprofits by providing with much-needed resources to address this issue."

The Verizon Foundation Domestic Violence Solutions Awards will support:

• The use of technology to improve domestic violence prevention and awareness programs.

• Programs that enable an agency to more effectively reach the community it serves.
• Programs that provide participants with strategies for enhancing their safety and use of community resources.
• Proposals that provide technology (job-related) training for individuals participating in domestic violence programs.

For more information on the RFP, go to www.verizon.com/ma.  The deadline for applying is July 10.

The Verizon Foundation supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 237,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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