Verizon Supports 32 Indiana Nonprofit Groups to Promote Literacy, Technology and Work Force Development

INDIANAPOLIS - Verizon reaffirmed its commitment to the communities that the company serves in Indiana by providing grants in 2003 for a broad range of literacy, work force development, technology and human service programs.

Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, last year donated almost $434,000 to 32 nonprofit groups in Indiana. Nationwide, the foundation donated about $70 million to worthy causes and charities, including matching nearly $14 million in donations from employees.

"We believe in investing in our communities through strategic partnerships with organizations that support education and literacy, technology education, and health and human services," said Verizon Great Lakes Region President Gale Y. Given. "Verizon's grants continue to 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 included:

• Indiana Literacy Foundation -- $100,000 to strengthen statewide literacy programs, training and information exchange among providers

• Council for Adult & Experiential Learning -- $50,000 to support a Lifelong Learning demonstration project in Northeast Indiana

• Community Education Coalition of Connersville - $19,900 to establish a literacy initiative for children up to four years old and their parents

In addition, literacy grants went to Su Casa of Columbus and the Fayette County Foundation.

In support of technology education, Verizon also awarded grants to NPower of Indiana; Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center; Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson, Scott and Washington counties; Indiana Business Modernization and Technology Corporation; Indianapolis Adult Resource Academy; Leadership Fort Wayne; Valparaiso Economic Development Corp.; and United Way of Whitewater Valley.

Verizon recognized the importance of the state's work force development programs by awarding additional grants to the Light House Mission of Terre Haute; Experience Works of Seymour; Fort Wayne Urban League; Friends of the Vigo County Library; Institute for Career Development of Northwest Indiana; Junior Achievement of Elkhart; Junior Achievement of Greater Lafayette; Open Door Reading & Writing Center of LaPorte; One Church-One Offender of Fort Wayne; and Porter-Starke County Services.

Other grant recipients include the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Whitley County Community Foundation and Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

In addition to the Verizon Foundation grants, 236 agencies received almost $376,000 more 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 ranks as one of the largest corporate foundations in America, providing grants and developing programs to support the communities where Verizon does business. The foundation places special emphasis on literacy, work force development and the use of technology for the benefit of all people. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications

A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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