AT&T Supports Rutherfordton Nonprofit Organization; Builds Stronger Communities Through $9 Million in National Grant Program
KidSenses Receives $25,500 AT&T Excelerator Grant
Rutherfordton, North Carolina, November 26, 2007
The AT&T Foundation — the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) — has announced that it has awarded $25,500 to support the KidSenses Children's InterACTIVE Museum 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. 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. In North Carolina, 17 regional and local nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $340,000 through the competitive program. Nationally, nearly $9 million will be received by organizations serving diverse ethnic groups, low-income families, people with disabilities, youth or senior adults.
"The AT&T Excelerator grant will allow KidSenses Children's InterACTIVE Museum to work with young children and elementary schools in innovative ways to strengthen science education," said Steve F. Saucier, executive director of the museum. "AT&T continues to deliver new innovations that encourage the use of technology. This is just the kind of public-private relationship, with a focus on children, which will cultivate in the next generation innovation through the use of technology."
The museum will use the grant to support a collaborative effort with Foothills Connect Business and Technology Center to bring Web-based science education to rural elementary students. Funds will pay for the technology hardware, Web site development and hosting.
"Not only can technology be a vital component to the success of nonprofit organizations, it can erase distance and other barriers to provide the best education to our children," said Sen. Walter Dalton. "This program will be a tremendous benefit to the children of our region, just as appropriate technology benefits community organizations. I applaud AT&T's civic leadership in stepping forward with this funding."
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 LaVoy Spooner, AT&T regional director of External Affairs. "KidSenses and other organizations in North Carolina 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 Senator Dalton for his dedication in assisting nonprofit organizations in this region and for his understanding of the vital role that technology plays in their success."
Several of the 2007 AT&T Excelerator grant recipients in North Carolina illustrate the innovative ways technology can be employed to meet their missions:
- St. Agnes Foundation (Raleigh) will enhance programs that address medical ailments that plague the minority community through online access to educational information and a forum for collaboration about solutions.
- Trinity Oaks Retirement Community (Salisbury) will use grant funds to support a unique intergenerational training activity, pairing computer-savvy middle school students from Salisbury Academy with retirees interested in learning computer basics, such as how to use the Internet, digital photography and e-mailing.
- Latino Advocacy Coalition (Hendersonville) will use grant funds to support expansion of LAC's computer lab with new hardware and software to provide basic computer-literacy classes for the underserved.
2007 AT&T Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations across the state 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.
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