$100,000 in Domestic Violence Prevention Grants Offered to Florida Non-Profits by Verizon Foundation

TAMPA, Fla., June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Foundation today announced a new grant opportunity that will provide $100,000 to Florida non-profit organizations and their efforts to raise awareness and prevent domestic violence, especially among teenagers.

Florida organizations are invited to respond to the new Request For Proposal (RFP) that will support numerous groups with grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

Initiatives may include, but are not limited to:

• Public education regarding various forms of domestic abuse.
• Raising awareness among men about what constitutes domestic violence and the importance of teaching young boys to respect women.
• Educating teens about dating violence.
• Helping survivors gain independence and avoid returning to an abuser.

"We are proud to support Florida non-profits working valiantly to stop the cycle of violence and to help domestic abuse survivors," said Pam Tope, Florida region president for Verizon Wireless. "Domestic violence impacts more than just the victims and their families, it affects society as a whole at all educational and socioeconomic levels. And we believe it is especially important to reach and engage teenagers with this message as they begin to date and learn more about relationships."

To be eligible, a grant applicant must be a nonprofit 501(c) (3) non-profit organization in Florida. All grant applications must be submitted through the Verizon Foundation's website, www.verizonfoundation.org/apply, using invitation code FloridaDV. Additional information regarding grant guidelines and frequently asked questions can be found at the foundation's website. The deadline for submitting proposals is August 19, 2011.

Verizon is a corporate leader in the effort against domestic violence and in the support of abuse survivors. Verizon's HopeLine® program is one visible example of the company's efforts. Through Hopeline bins located inside every Verizon Wireless store, the company collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories that are refurbished or recycled for cash. Verizon Wireless then provides the refurbished phones, airtime and recycling proceeds to local domestic violence shelters and other organizations.  

Since its inception, HopeLine has collected more than 8 million phones and provided $10 million in grants.

In addition to HopeLine, the Verizon Foundation has awarded more than $21 million in the past four years to nonprofit organizations that assist domestic violence survivors.

For grant requests and other information, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 104 million total connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon Wireless