Cheboygan Memorial Hospital Builds a Stronger Community through National Grant Program from AT&T
AT&T Marks Fifth Anniversary of Excelerator Grants to Organizations Serving Diverse Ethnic Groups, Low-Income Families, the Disabled, Youth and Senior Citizens
Cheboygan, Michigan, February 2, 2007
Celebrating its fifth year, AT&T Excelerator, a competitive technology grant program from the AT&T Foundation — the philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc. — awarded more than $550,000 to 31 Michigan nonprofit organizations and communities.
Since 2002, the AT&T Excelerator program has awarded more than 2,500 technology grants, valued at more than $38.8 million, to organizations across the country. In 2006, more than 480 regional and local nonprofit organizations received nearly $6 million through the competitive program. The AT&T Excelerator program is a key component of AT&T AccessAll, a three-year $100 million philanthropic initiative to provide technology access to the organizations that work to strengthen communities.
"I am honored to receive this grant award on behalf of Cheboygan Memorial Hospital," said Barbara Cliff, president and chief executive officer. "Thanks to the generosity of AT&T, we are able to further support our mission by addressing the educational needs of our patients, staff and community."
Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, the only hospital in Michigan to be awarded the grant, will use the funds to support new technology and staff training for health care education in a community where Internet access is limited.
"In today's fast-paced world, technology is a vital component to the success of nonprofit organizations that do not always have the funds to properly use time- and cost-saving technologies," says Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer. "Personally seeing the benefits of technology at organizations like the Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, demonstrates the increased need to properly fund and equip such efforts."
AT&T Excelerator is a major philanthropic initiative that helps nonprofits fully integrate technology into their ongoing operations and community outreach. AT&T Excelerator grants also help nonprofit organizations put technology tools into the hands of the underserved populations they work with, providing resources such as Internet access, computer training, math and reading programs, and job-skills development.
"For five years, the AT&T Excelerator program has underlined the importance of how technology can benefit communities and organizations," said Gail Torreano, president of AT&T Michigan. "The Cheboygan Memorial Hospital and other organizations in Michigan will continue to use technology funded by this program to empower the community and change the lives of those they serve on a day-to-day basis."
The 2006 AT&T Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations across Michigan and the U.S. improve their operations and build stronger communities through:
- Internet Access. Networked, high speed access to the Internet and e-mail.
- Data Networking. Network connectivity enabling easy sharing of database applications and information systems.
- Online Outreach. Interactive, Web-based applications that support activities such as service delivery, volunteer recruiting and e-fundraising.
- Staff Technology Capacity. Technology-training programs for nonprofit staff members.
- Pooled Technology Resources. Programs that work to address the technology needs of multiple nonprofits.
Since 1996, AT&T Inc. and the AT&T Foundation have contributed more than $439 million to nonprofit organizations across the country. With its strong giving record, the AT&T Foundation is among the five most philanthropic corporate foundations in the United States and was ranked by Forbes magazine as being among the most generous corporate foundations in 2006.
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About the AT&T Foundation
The new AT&T Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc., supports programs that build communities and improve access to information technologies, technology training, and professional skills development. The new AT&T Foundation will provide more than $60 million in 2006 in charitable contributions, thereby placing it among the top five largest corporate foundations in the country. The new AT&T Foundation combines more than 40 years and $1.7 billion of philanthropic commitment to communities across the country.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company in the United States and around the world, with operating subsidiaries providing services under the AT&T brand. AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing IP-based communications services to businesses and the U.S. leader in providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising through its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment offerings to include such next-generation television services as AT&T U-verseSM TV. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.
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