AT&T Supports Nonprofit Organizations in Northern Nevada; 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

Reno, Nevada, 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 $80,000 to support 11 northern Nevada nonprofit organizations 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.

"AT&T's generosity has made a significant and positive impact on our community throughout the years," said Caryn Swobe, board chair of the Nevada Discovery Museum. "We are honored to receive support from a company of AT&T's stature."

"Today's world is driven by technology, and our nonprofits here in Nevada need funding and support to create programs that can effectively reach the many individuals whom they serve," said state Sen. Randolph Townsend, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor. "Technology upgrades, hardware, services, educational or training programs and so many other components are all necessary to operate in a cost-effective way. Seeing these needs in our community brings home the fact that nonprofits continually need this type of technological support."

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 Howard Lenox, president of AT&T Nevada. "These nonprofit organizations 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 Townsend for his dedication in assisting nonprofit organizations in northern Nevada and for his understanding of the vital role that technology plays in their success."

Several of the 2007 AT&T Excelerator grant recipients in Nevada illustrate the innovative ways technology can be employed to meet their missions:

  • Carson City Library (Carson City) will use its $6,548 grant to support the addition of computer hardware for a new community center that will primarily serve increasing numbers of middle and high school students who would otherwise not have access to computers for educational, informational and recreational use.
  • Rural Nevada Development Corp. (Ely) will use its $10,250 grant to support the addition of updated hardware to improve program coordination and office efficiency in order to better serve clients and funding agencies.
  • Mineral County Care and Share (Hawthorne) will use its $7,282 grant to support the addition of upgraded technology that will provide computer training for Mineral County's senior citizens and help them improve their quality of life and maintain their independence.
  • Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education (Reno) will use its $20,000 grant to support the development of the University of Nevada Academics Center's computer lab with state-of-the-art technology.
  • EDAWN Co. (Reno) will use its $5,500 grant to support the Entrepreneurship Catalyst initiative by providing a comprehensive Web site and database system to help build a network of mentoring and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and startup ventures.
  • Nevada Discovery Museum (Reno) will use its $5,000 grant to support the addition of an expanded interactive Web site to help the museum effectively communicate services in order to encourage visitation, increase memberships, receive donations and enable advertising.
  • Nevada Humanities Committee (Reno) will use its $5,000 grant to support Nevada's Online Encyclopedia (ONE) initiative and conduct a series of statewide orientation sessions to familiarize more teachers with its educational use for K-12 students. ONE is a comprehensive online encyclopedia of Nevada's history and culture.
  • Nevada Museum of Art Inc. (Reno) will use its $8,300 grant to develop the museum's educational Web site, which will increase outreach to youth in rural areas, provide them electronic access to its collection and educational resources and inform teachers about professional development opportunities.
  • Washoe County Legal Aid Society (Reno) will use its $5,128 grant to support the agency's technology upgrade program with the addition of hardware to improve office efficiency and effectively manage the increasing number of low-income and socially victimized groups that seek legal representation throughout Washoe County.
  • Food Bank of Northern Nevada Inc. (Sparks) will use its $4,992 grant to support technology upgrades to help increase employee effectiveness.
  • Tru Vista Foundation Inc. (Sparks) will use its $5,000 grant to support the Tru Vista technology upgrade program, which will provide more efficient sharing of information among its two offices and partner agencies in order to improve services for the children and families affected by drug abuse.

2007 AT&T Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations across northern Nevada 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.

© 2007 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

© AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.