NBC Bay Area Invites Local Non-Profit Organizations To Compete In Second Annual Social Innovation Grant Challenge

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC Bay Area today announced the launch of its annual grant program, 21st Century Solutions, in partnership with the NBCUniversal Foundation.  This program will once again award three grants totaling $100,000 to local non-profit organizations in the Bay Area, giving the non-profits an opportunity to compete for recognition of their innovative, community-based programs in the areas of Civic Engagement, Education, Environment, Jobs and Economic Empowerment, Media Arts and Technology.

Grant submissions will be accepted starting today through July 31 in the Bay Area and in the nine other markets where NBCUniversal owns television stations.  In total, the program will award 30 non-profit organizations a total of $1.2 million across all markets.

"We're proud to be able to spotlight and encourage local organizations doing innovative work in the Bay Area," said Rich Cerussi, President and General Manager of NBC Bay Area.  "We have already seen the positive impact that these grants have made on recipient organizations from last year, and we look forward to continue to offer this grant challenge in the years to come and continuing our mission of making the Bay Area a better place to live."

21st Century Solutions supports initiatives designed to address emerging and ongoing community challenges in new and creative ways.  By focusing on social innovation, the program supports non-profit organizations that address these pressing matters with fresh perspectives.

In 2012, the 21st Century Solutions grant program was highly competitive, with the strongest and most innovative proposals selected.  Opportunity Fund based in San Jose received a grant last year for its Start2Save program, which combines financial education and savings incentives to help working families develop a life-long savings habit.

"With our Start2Save accounts, families are building their own safety net as they work toward financial stability.  Our clients are demonstrating that even very low-wage families can build savings, and they're doing it $20 at a time," said Eric Weaver, Opportunity Fund CEO.  "With NBCUniversal supporting us, Opportunity Fund was able to bring this innovation to life, helping hundreds of families get on the path to a brighter future last year."

Interested 501(c)(3) organizations wishing to compete in the grant challenge can review the eligibility criteria and complete applications on nbcbayarea.com.  One winning organization will be awarded $100,000, and two runners-up will be awarded $25,000 grants each.  The recipients will be announced by the end of 2013.  The 21st Century Solutions program is funded by the NBCUniversal Foundation with promotional support from NBC Bay Area. 

To watch an interview with some of last year's grant recipients about the programs that were funded through 21st Century Solutions, please click here.

About NBC Owned Television Stations
NBC Owned Television Stations is the division of NBCUniversal that includes 10 local television stations and their websites and digital platforms, as well as a group of out-of-home properties, a production company and COZI TV (www.cozitv.com).  The 10 stations produce and deliver compelling and unique local news, information and entertainment programming to viewers in the communities they serve, which include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington, D.C., Miami, San Diego and Connecticut, with a goal of connecting to their audiences anytime and anywhere.

About NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.

SOURCE NBC Bay Area

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