Verizon Foundation Offers $400,000 in Education Grants to Massachusetts Nonprofit Groups

BOSTON --The Verizon Foundation today announced competition for $400,000 in grants for innovative school-to-career programs in Massachusetts.

The EdLink program, now its seventh year, seeks proposals that link classroom instruction and workplace or community-based learning opportunities for students in grades 7-12. Projects may be submitted on behalf of schools or school districts; and applicants are encouraged to collaborate on projects with institutions of higher education, community organizations, nonprofit agencies and employers.

"Verizon significantly supports education from kindergarten through high school with corporate philanthropy, community relations initiatives and employee volunteerism," said Donna Cupelo, Verizon's region president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island. "As one of the largest private employers in Massachusetts, Verizon realizes how important it is for schools, businesses and communities to help students discover links between the classroom and the workplace. After all, the success of our economy and our company ultimately depends on the effectiveness of our schools."

A total of $400,000 will be awarded to fund projects that focus on collaborations between schools, community organizations, institutions of higher education and employer associations. Individual grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded.

Verizon supports the work of the Massachusetts Department of Education's Office of School-to-Work. To further the state's efforts in this area, priority will be given to proposals that enhance:

• Exemplary work-based learning initiatives that link students and/or teachers to work-based learning opportunities and real- world learning activities and that use the Massachusetts Work-based Learning Plan as an evaluation tool.

• Innovative academic-support programs that link standards-based instruction with work-based learning experiences for under-performing students.

Massachusetts public and private schools, public or private colleges, universities, not-for-profit organizations and school-to-career partnerships [qualified 501(c)(3) or 509(a) (1, 2, or 3) organizations] may apply for these awards. Program activity must target students and teachers in grades 7-12. Final proposals are due May 13 and must be submitted through the Verizon Foundation online application process. Complete application instructions and details regarding this award program are included in the Request for Proposals posted at www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is committed to helping Verizon employees, customers and the communities in which they work and live 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. 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, visit the foundation's Web site at 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 135.8 million access line equivalents and 32.5 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and 229,500 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 30 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

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