Verizon Foundation Offers $200,000 in Grant Opportunities to Pennsylvania Public Libraries

PHILADELPHIA - The Verizon Foundation is seeking grant proposals from nonprofit public libraries throughout Pennsylvania for literacy programs that use technology to enhance the literacy skills of people with disabilities or special needs.

Eligible libraries can submit proposals online and compete for grants totaling $200,000 -- consisting of individual awards worth up to $10,000 -- to fund programs that most effectively match the foundation's literacy and technology focus.

"Pennsylvania's public libraries serve as vital literacy resources for everyone, and economic vitality depends on high literacy rates," said James V. O'Rourke, president & CEO, Verizon Pennsylvania. "This initiative will enhance or implement programs so that individuals with disabilities or special needs have opportunities to increase technology and literacy skills and qualify for jobs that are being driven by ever-changing technology. Verizon has invested billions of dollars in the region's telecommunications infrastructure and cares deeply about the communities it serves."

Proposals must be submitted through Verizon Foundation's Web site, www.verizon.com/foundation, no later than midnight, June 30. Applicants should click on the "apply on line" link; then the link marked, "click here to begin;" and then add the invitation code, 85323UMV3L.

To qualify for funding, applicants must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public library with a valid Internal Revenue Service tax ID.

The Verizon Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications. In 2004, the foundation awarded more than 26,000 grants totaling more than $70 million to charitable and nonprofit agencies that focus on improving basic and computer literacy, enriching communities through technology, and creating a skilled work force. The foundation uses its resources in the United States and abroad to develop partnerships in technology and connect them with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and the economically and socially disadvantaged.

The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, an incentive program that last year encouraged Verizon employees to volunteer 528,000 hours in their communities and provided $37.6 million in combined contributions to charitable and nonprofit organizations. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications Inc.

With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of more than 210,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom serves customers based in 29 states with wireline telecommunications services, including broadband and other services. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 43.8 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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