Verizon Foundation Offers $150,000 in Grants to Ohio Nonprofit Groups

MARION, Ohio - Nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in Ohio are invited to compete for $150,000 in grants offered by Verizon Foundation this year.

The foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is seeking grant applications for projects that focus on literacy and community technology development.

"We encourage nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that meet our funding criteria to apply," said Todd Colquitt, chief public policy officer, Verizon Ohio. "Verizon wants to recognize as many deserving groups as possible. We anticipate this highly competitive process will yield many quality proposals and help us support nonprofits that enrich our Ohio communities."

To qualify for funding, applicants must be classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a valid Internal Revenue Service tax ID. Educational institutions must have a current National Center for Education Statistics school and district registration to qualify.

Verizon Foundation will give strong preference to projects that meet the following criteria:
• Benefit communities served by Verizon's local phone (non-wireless) companies.

• Emphasize how the innovative use of technology can solve problems.

• Assist nonprofit organizations in serving diverse racial and ethnic communities, persons with disabilities and other under-served groups.

• Demonstrate collaboration and help improve organizational efficiency.

The deadline for filing proposals is Sept. 13. Interested organizations should apply online through the Verizon Web site at www.verizon.com/foundation. Mailed or faxed proposals will not be accepted.

Verizon Foundation also provides "eGrants," one-time $240 awards for first-time Internet access for nonprofit organizations. In addition, qualified organizations can submit grant requests for staff training in a variety of computer programs.

Verizon Foundation provided $2.1 million in grants last year to support a variety of programs in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. In addition, Verizon Foundation contributed more than $700,000 to qualified organizations in the five-state region through matching gifts and other employee programs.

Verizon Foundation 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 on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation on the Internet.

Verizon Communications

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 135.1 million access line equivalents and 30.3 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and approximately 241,000 employees, 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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