The NBCUniversal Foundation Awards $100,000 to Support Innovative Non-profit Programs in Dallas-Fort Worth

DALLAS and FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC 5 and Telemundo 39, in partnership with the NBCUniversal Foundation, have awarded $100,000 in grants to three local non-profit organizations.  The 21^st Century Solutions grant challenge recognizes and supports innovative, high-impact initiatives in the areas of civic engagement, education, environment, jobs and economic empowerment, media arts and technology.

Local recipients include:

Big Thought - $50,000
Dallas Foundation - $25,000
Medisend International - $25,000

Big Thought's Dallas City of Learning program was awarded a $50,000 grant in support of their city-wide learning laboratory, which empowers youth to seek out and complete learning opportunities outside of school.  The agency's goal is to connect all young people to academic and creative opportunities beyond the classroom and to encourage peers and mentors who can help make their dreams come true.  One hundred fifty partner agencies and 200 contract instructors work together to make Dallas City of Learning a reality.

The Dallas Teacher Residency program, sponsored by the Dallas Foundation, was awarded a $25,000 grant to recruit aspiring teachers and prepare them to become effective in urban schools.  Dallas Teacher Residency creates yearlong programs for new teachers in which it applies unique training methods through tailored coursework created in cooperation with a university partner.  Through this innovative approach, Dallas Teacher Residency aims to create high-quality educators and support systems to provide students with the largest possible academic impact.

Medisend International's General Richard B. Myers Veterans Biomedical Equipment Technology Program was awarded $25,000.  This program places qualified veterans and military spouses in an accelerated curriculum that develops core competencies in the repair, calibration, maintenance and operation of diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment.  Certified graduates are then qualified for long-term, well-paying careers in the healthcare field, which often inspires a sense of purpose in individuals, like veterans, who are already predisposed to help others in their communities.

"Helping our viewers, including families and children, have access to the resources they need to get ahead, is one of the reasons why we are in this business," said John Trevino, President and General Manager, Telemundo 39. "The doors of opportunities these grants will open to our local families will have a multiplier effect, including giving us an even stronger North Texas community." 

"These organizations are engaged in incredibly innovative programs that will make a difference in our community," said Tom Ehlmann, President and General Manager of NBC 5.  "We say 'Texas Connects Us' and groups like this work to make those connections all the better."

In addition to the $100,000 awarded in Dallas/Fort Worth, the NBCUniversal Foundation announced grants across the country totaling $1.2 million in the 10 markets served by the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations.

Launched in 2012, the 21st Century Solutions program supports initiatives designed to address emerging and ongoing community challenges in new and creative ways. By focusing on social innovation, the program encourages non-profit organizations to drive forward bold new ideas to make our local communities stronger.

About NBC 5 / KXAS-TV

NBC 5 / KXAS-TV is the NBCUniversal Owned Television Station serving the communities of North Texas with quality news and entertainment programming on NBC 5, COZI TV (Digital 5.2) and online at NBCDFW.com.

About Telemundo 39

Telemundo 39 / KXTX-TV is the NBCUniversal Owned Television Station serving the Spanish-language communities of the Dallas-Fort Worth area offering high-quality content including news, original productions and first class sports programming on Telemundo 39 and at Telemundodallas.com.

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.

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SOURCE NBC 5 / KXAS-TV

Related Links

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