Verizon Supports 25 Wisconsin Nonprofit Groups to Promote Literacy, Technology and Workforce Development

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. - Verizon reaffirmed its commitment to improving literacy and technology education last year through grants for a broad range of literacy, workforce development, community technology and human service programs. Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, donated $345,000 to 25 nonprofit groups in the state during 2002.

"In today's tight economy, nonprofit organizations need financial assistance now more than ever," said Dan Matson, Verizon vice president -- regulatory and government affairs. "Verizon's grants 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:

• Wisconsin Literacy, Inc.-- $50,000 to create a Web site and establish statewide resources for 34 literacy agencies throughout Wisconsin.

• Cooperative Educational Service Area #6 -- $25,000 to provide enhanced computer technologies in the Lomira and Oakfield school districts.

• Madison Area Technical College -- $20,000 to launch an adult literacy and GED completion program at the Portage campus.

In addition, literacy grants went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Marshfield Area, Inc.; Family & Child Learning Centers; Friends of Reedsburg Public Library, Inc.; Friends of the Kraemer Library and Community Center; Lincoln Center of the Arts; Madison Area Literacy Council; the Neighbors' Place; and United Way of Marathon County.

In support of technology education, Verizon also awarded grants to Marshfield United Way; Pecatonica Educational Charitable Foundation, Inc.; Prairie du Sac Public Library and Friends of the Prairie du Sac Library, Inc.; the United Way of Dane County, Inc.; Wausau Kayak/Canoe Corporation; and the YMCA of Dane County, Inc.

Verizon recognized the importance of the state's workforce development programs by awarding additional grants to the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, Inc.; Forward Wisconsin; Lake Mills HI; Northern Wisconsin Area Health Education Center; Opportunity Development Centers, Inc.; and Workforce Connections, Inc.

Other grant recipients include the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc., which received funding for an innovative cultural integration program, and Wisconsin Women in Government.

In addition to these grants, 67 agencies received a total of over $55,000 through Verizon Volunteers, an incentive program that encourages Verizon employees to volunteer in their communities and provides matching gifts to nonprofit organizations.

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. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

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 135.0 million access line equivalents and 31.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and more than 236,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 35 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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