Comcast Foundation Donates $2 Million in Airtime to First Nations Development Institute

LONGMONT, Colo., March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) today announced the Comcast Foundation has donated $2 million in airtime on Comcast's Xfinity cable TV system to run First Nations' public service announcements (PSAs) during June and July 2014.

This is the second year that the Comcast Foundation has made a significant contribution of broadcast time for First Nations' 30-second television spots. During 2013, the foundation and Comcast Corporation donated more than $1.5 million in airtime, which resulted in the airing of First Nations' announcements more than 113,000 times in 13 market areas around the United States. The Comcast Foundation also donated $20,000 in cash for production of the two TV spots.  For 2014, the First Nations spots will run in 30 market areas from coast to coast.

"This generous gift of airtime will go a very long way toward building awareness of the critical economic development and asset-building needs of struggling Native American communities, and how First Nations plays a key behind-the-scenes role in that," said First Nations President Michael E. Roberts. "We are deeply grateful to Comcast for continuing its significant support of our efforts."

Bill Black, vice president and executive director of the Comcast Foundation, said, "We are excited to partner with First Nations on this important initiative for a second year. At Comcast, we are committed to leveling the playing field so that everyone, regardless of income, has an opportunity to improve their life."

The grant is in recognition of Comcast's commitment to the communities where its customers and employees live and work.  Since its founding in 1999, the Comcast Foundation has distributed more than $140 million in cash support of programs implemented locally in Comcast communities.  First Nations is headquartered in Longmont, Colo., near Denver, and it serves Native American communities throughout the United States.

CONTACTS:
Randy Blauvelt, First Nations Senior Communications Officer
(303) 774-7836 or [email protected]

Katie Lubenow, Comcast
(215) 286-5691 or [email protected]

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SOURCE First Nations Development Institute