Verizon Wireless and Verizon Foundation Announce $100,000 Domestic Violence Solutions RFP

WILMINGTON, MA — Verizon Wireless and The Verizon Foundation announced today a request for proposals (RFP) inviting nonprofits in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to apply for a total of $100,000 in grants to support domestic violence prevention and service programs.

The Verizon Foundation and Verizon Wireless, through its HopeLine® program, both focus on helping survivors of domestic violence and raising awareness of this often silent epidemic. Across New England, HopeLine provides wireless phones and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.

Through the 2009 Verizon Foundation Domestic Violence Solutions Awards RFP, nonprofit agencies in northern New England are invited to compete for grants of up to $10,000 to support domestic violence service initiatives.

“Both Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation currently partner with nonprofit agencies to support domestic violence prevention and awareness programs and to provide services for survivors and their families,” said Ken Dixon, regional president for Verizon Wireless New England. “We are looking forward to further supporting nonprofits that help address this very important issue, especially in this challenging economic climate.”

The Verizon Foundation Domestic Violence Solutions Awards will support:

• Domestic violence prevention and awareness programs improved through the use of technology
• Programs that enable an agency to reach the community it serves more effectively
• Programs that provide participants with strategies for enhancing their safety and use of community resources
• Proposals that provide technology (job-related) training for individuals participating in domestic violence programs

For more information on the RFP, please visit www.verizonfoundation.org/rfp/northern.shtml . Nonprofits are invited to apply by Friday, July 10.

HopeLine, Verizon Wireless’ exclusive phone recycling program, collects no-longer-used wireless equipment from any wireless service provider at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide or by mail. Phones donated to HopeLine are sold or recycled in an environmentally sound manner, with the proceeds benefiting non-profits.

Since 2001, Verizon Wireless has distributed more than 76,000 phones with more than 228 million minutes of free wireless service to be used by victims of domestic violence. Through HopeLine’s recycling efforts, more than 1 million no-longer-used wireless phones have been disposed of properly; more than 170,000 pounds of batteries have been recycled; and more than 200 tons of electronics waste and batteries have been kept out of landfills.

For additional information on Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program, including store locations, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline. To download a postage-paid label, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopelinemailinglabel.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Verizon Foundation
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26 million in combined contributions to nonprofits. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

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