AT&T Supports Two Greensboro Nonprofit Organizations; Builds Stronger Communities Through $9 Million in National Grant Program
East Market Street Development Corp. and Shepherd's Center Receive AT&T Excelerator Grants
Charlotte, North Carolina, November 27, 2007
The AT&T Foundation — the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) — has announced that it has awarded more than $34,000 to support the East Market Street Development Corp. and the Shepherd's Center of Greensboro 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.
East Market Street Development Corp. will receive $20,690 to support an infrastructure upgrade that will enable community training and expand the organization's Web site to include information on activities, job opportunities and business-plan-development training.
"East Market Street Development Corp. is very appreciative of being selected as one of the recipients of the AT&T Excelerator grant," said Mac Sims, president of the East Market Street Development Corp. "We have led the efforts in the revitalization of the East Market Street Corridor Community for more than 10 years. This grant will give us a centralized location for residents and business owners to circulate and receive information. These funds will enhance our mission of making eastern Greensboro a healthy, safe and vital community that attracts and sustains existing and new businesses, along with increasing the assets of the neighborhood."
Shepherd's Center of Greensboro will receive $13,850 to support an upgrade of its technology infrastructure to improve management of the organization as it continues to provide computer-literacy training for senior adults.
"We are very appreciative of this support for our office and for the SeniorNet Learning Center as we continue creating opportunities for older adults to help older adults remain active and involved in this community," said Jean Eason, project coordinator, Shepherd's Center.
"In today's fast-paced world, improved technology is vital to the success of nonprofit organizations that may lack needed funds to properly use cost-saving programs," said Greensboro Mayor Keith Holliday. "When those benefits are realized by community organizations, it reinforces the need to properly fund and equip such efforts. That is why the AT&T Excelerator grant program is so valuable to Greensboro."
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 Chuck Greene, AT&T regional director of External Affairs. "These organizations — along with 15 others across the state — 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 Mayor Holliday for his dedication in assisting nonprofit organizations in Greensboro and for his understanding of the vital role that technology plays in their success."
Several of the 2007 AT&T Excelerator grant recipients from North Carolina illustrate the innovative ways technology can be employed to meet their missions, including:
- 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 an 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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