The Verizon Foundation Expands Its Free, Professional Development Web Site for Charitable Organizations

May 18, 2006

Foundation’s Resource Center Marks First Anniversary by Presenting New Offerings to Nonprofits, Awarding More Training Grants, Free Hardware and Software

NEW YORK - Nonprofit organizations in the tri-state area will join the Verizon Foundation Friday (May 19) to launch an expansion of the foundation’s Resource Center, a package of free, Web-based professional development courses and resources that help nonprofits better manage their business operations.

The center, located at http://foundation.verizon.com/resourcecenter, will offer new courses such as advanced grant-writing; provide a portal to in-kind donations of hardware and software; and award more than 1,200 training grants to nonprofit organizations across the nation.

Since it began operations in May 2005, the center has offered 96 in-class, blended and online courses in a variety of different subject areas including marketing, board-member recruitment and technology, and also has provided links to informative resources for the nonprofit professional. More than 800 individuals representing more than 450 nonprofits nationally have benefited from the training.

The center’s programs were developed and are supported by several nonprofit organizations including ePhilanthropy, NPower, the Foundation Center, Volunteer Consultant Group, Society for Nonprofit Organizations, CompuMentor and TechSoup Stock.

During the launch event, to be held at the Midtown Executive Club at 6 p.m., training grants will be awarded to three nonprofit organizations, as part of an instant-decision grant review.

The Resource Center was designed to offer nonprofits -- which often have no or only limited funds available for training, but face ever-expanding operations and increasing client demand -- a free one-stop, operational and training resource. The most popular courses are those that develop computer skills in programs such as Access and Excel Basics as well as Dreamweaver.

“For nonprofit organizations, cost is typically a major barrier to getting technology training,” said Scott Schaffer, executive director, NPower. “Through the Verizon Foundation training grants, NPower has been able offer hundreds of organizations the opportunity to give their staff the technology skills they need to be more effective, which in turn helps their communities. We are delighted to partner with the Foundation again this year to continue this valuable work.”

Patrick Gaston, president of the Verizon Foundation, said, “The Resource Center is a testament to the importance of continuously developing new ways of leveraging 21st century technologies for the benefit of our communities. Because of the center, nonprofits across the United States are discovering ways to reduce the amount of time they spend on administrative functions, leaving them more time to focus on the business of helping others.”

Verizon delivers technology that touches life. The Verizon Foundation uses that technology and its financial resources to improve literacy and K-12 education; help families victimized by domestic violence; and improve the delivery of health care. In 2005, the foundation awarded more than $74 million in grants to charitable and nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, one of the largest employee volunteer programs in the United States responsible for 2 million hours of community service since 2000 and $35.6 million in combined contributions to nonprofits in 2005 alone.

For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving 53 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation’s premier wireline networks, serving mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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Alberto Canal

Verizon Communications Inc.

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