Verizon Foundation Offers $100,000 in Grants to Support Tech-Based Literacy Programs for Students Who Are Learning to Speak English

BOSTON and PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is seeking grant proposals from nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that provide technology-based literacy services to students who are learning to speak English.

Through the 2010 Verizon Foundation English as a Second Language Solutions Awards Request for Proposal, nonprofit agencies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are invited to compete for grants of up to $10,000 – for a total of $100,000 -- to support ESL initiatives.

To qualify for funding, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing programs that serve Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents.

"Verizon is committed to helping people gain the literacy skills needed to effectively participate and succeed in our economy," said Donna Cupelo, Verizon region president of New England.  "We are looking forward to supporting innovative programs that provide immigrant learners with the necessary tools to gain the skills they need to improve their educations and seek employment opportunities that will help them flourish here."

The Verizon Foundation ESL Solutions Awards will support:

• English as a Second Language literacy programs that use technology to improve the delivery of services.
• Programs that provide participants with strategies for improving their English communications skills to further education and employment goals.

For more information on the RFP, go to www.verizon.com/ma and www.verizon.com/ri.  The deadline for applying is June 25.

The Verizon Foundation supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational website, Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org), and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $26.1 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 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, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon