Verizon Awards More Than $450,000 in Grants To Nonprofit Organizations throughout Washington

EVERETT, Wash. -- Verizon Communications reaffirmed its commitment to improving literacy and technology development in Washington by awarding more than $450,000 in grants to 92 nonprofit organizations.

In Snohomish County alone Verizon Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, awarded 28 grants totaling $227,680. In King County, Verizon awarded $230,400 in grants to various organizations.

The United Way of Snohomish County received $80,000, the largest award in Snohomish County, to establish a volunteer solutions database. Funds will cover the planning and implementation of the volunteer center Website and volunteer opportunities database. The interactive database will match volunteers to the needs of social service agencies throughout the county.

Other significant grants were made to the following Snohomish County organizations:

• Communities in Schools - $7,000 for a partnership with Everett School District to reduce school failure and dropout rates, strengthen staff instruction and management skills, and increase parental involvement in school improvement efforts.

• Edmonds Community College Foundation - $10,000 for computers, software and training for a new Center for Families that serves low-income families and focuses on early childhood development.

• Everett Community College Foundation - $20,000 in support of the Applied Technology Training Center to provide vocational job-training assistance for Snohomish County residents.

"In today's tight economy, the efficient use of volunteers by non-profits will help bridge budget shortfalls," said John Gustafson, Verizon external affairs director. "Verizon's grants underscore our long-standing goal of improving the communities we serve and our commitment to providing excellent service to our customers."

In addition to the United Way of Snohomish County, other Verizon grant recipients are: Adopt-A-Stream Foundation; Alderwood Middle School; American Red Cross; Arts Council of Snohomish County; Bethany of the Northwest Foundation; Boys and Girls Clubs of Snohomish County; Campfire; Center for Career Alternatives; Communities in Schools of Snohomish County; Citizen's for Mukilteo Schools; Edmonds Community College Foundation; Everett Community College Foundation; Everett Symphony Association; Granite Falls School District; Greater Trinity Christian Learning Academy; Habitat for Humanity; Hospice of Snohomish County; Lake Stevens Education Foundation; Lynnwood High School; Refugee and Immigrant Forum of Snohomish County; Schoolwork Initiative; Sherwood Community Services; Sno-Isle Regional Library; Snohomish County Community Foundation; Snohomish County Literacy Coalition; South County Senior Center; South Everett Youth and Community Center; and YMCA of Snohomish County.

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 (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 128.5 million access line equivalents and 28.7 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. A Fortune 10 company with 256,000 employees and approximately $65 billion in annual revenues, 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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