AT&T Supports Nonprofit Organizations in Columbus Area; Builds Stronger Communities Through $9 Million in National Grant Program
AT&T Excelerator Grants Assist Organizations Serving Diverse Ethnic Groups, Low-Income Families, People With Disabilities, Youth and Seniors
Columbus, Ohio, November 15, 2007
The AT&T Foundation — the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) — has announced that it has awarded $138,500 to support six Columbus-area nonprofit organizations and communities through the AT&T Excelerator competitive technology grant program.
Since 2002, the AT&T Excelerator program has provided more than 2,500 technology grants — totaling more than $47.8 million — to organizations across the country. In 2007, 680 nonprofit organizations across the country have benefited from nearly $9 million through the competitive program. This year, the AT&T Foundation expanded the Excelerator grant program for the first time to include AT&T Southeast's nine-state service area.
"Education plays a key role in our mission," said Jerry Borin, executive director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, one of this year's Excelerator grant recipients. "Through technology, we are able to deliver compelling content that helps kids learn about animal behavior, endangered species and the biodiversity of our planet. It's a science-based curriculum that's both fun and fascinating."
"The nonprofit organizations being honored today provide essential services to our community and deserve recognition for this important achievement," said Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks. "They provide life-saving, life-changing and life-enriching services to the people of Franklin County. On behalf of the county commissioners, we commend these organizations and thank AT&T for enabling them to have access to the technology that will help them expand their outreach in the community. Thank you for recognizing that we are all Franklin County."
The AT&T Excelerator program provides technology access to organizations working to strengthen underserved communities. Helping nonprofits integrate technology into their operations and community outreach, AT&T Excelerator grants also place technology tools in the hands of the underserved populations that the nonprofits work with in order to provide resources such as education programs, Internet access, computer training and job-skills development.
"For the past six years, the AT&T Excelerator program has demonstrated the importance of how technology can benefit communities and organizations," said Connie Browning, president of AT&T Ohio. "The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and other organizations in the Columbus area will continue to use technology funded by this program to empower the community and change the lives of the people whom they serve on a day-to-day basis. We commend Commissioner Brooks for her dedication in assisting nonprofit organizations in central Ohio and understanding the vital role that technology plays in their success."
The 2007 AT&T Excelerator grant recipients from the Columbus area illustrate the innovative ways technology can be employed to meet their missions:
- The Columbus Aids Task Force Inc. (Columbus) will use its $8,900 grant to support the enhancement of case-management outreach services to the underserved with the purchase of additional laptop computers and training for the staff.
- I Know I Can (Columbus) will use its $5,600 grant to support computer literacy training for volunteer high school advisers so that they can assist underserved students with online college applications and financial aid requests.
- The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – Ohio Conference (Columbus) will use its $50,000 grant to support a collaborative project to provide computer-based training to underserved families. Students will have an opportunity for greater academic achievement, and others served will be provided skills to assist them in seeking employment.
- The American Cancer Society Inc. – Ohio Division (Dublin) will use its $24,080 grant to support the purchase of an interactive voice response system to enable a more efficient process to confirm patients' appointments, as well as broadcast messages to the community.
- The Law Enforcement Foundation Inc. (Dublin) will use its $25,000 grant to support educational programs, including Web-based training, for police departments throughout Ohio by upgrading computer technology.
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Powell) will use its $25,000 grant to support the expansion of the distance learning program through the development of additional lesson plans and the purchase of computer hardware and software. Distance learning allows students to access educational materials via the Web.
2007 AT&T Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations across the Columbus area 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 that enables 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.
In 2006, AT&T Inc. and the AT&T Foundation contributed more than $101 million to nonprofit organizations across the country. With its strong giving record, the AT&T Foundation ranks among the most generous corporate foundations in the United States.
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About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2006, AT&T contributed more than $101 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc., combine more than $1.8 billion of historic charitable commitment to communities across the country.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. 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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