Verizon Wireless To Award $90,000 In Grants To Nonprofit Domestic Violence Groups In Upstate New York, Including The Watertown Area

WATERTOWN, NY — Verizon Wireless announced today it is seeking grant proposals for domestic violence prevention and education projects in the Watertown area. Qualifying nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for a $5,000 grant, made possible through the company’s HopeLine® program. The grant is one of 13 competitive grants totaling $90,000 the company is awarding across Upstate New York.

The grant is being offered to enable agencies, shelters and other domestic violence advocacy groups to introduce or expand programs, add equipment or enhance facilities to better serve clients. The recipient of the grant will be announced in October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Project proposals must be postmarked or e-mailed by September 15, 2010.

“Verizon Wireless has a long-standing tradition of partnering with nonprofit agencies to help support the prevention of domestic violence,” said Russ Preite, president of Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York Region. “It is our hope these grants will continue to provide funding for innovative programs to help domestic violence survivors rebuild their lives and to educate our community.”

Verizon Wireless will give strong preference to grant proposals that:

• Emphasize the benefits of new or expanded programs or services
• Include an implementation plan with a defined beginning and end
• Define measurable results

To qualify for funding, an applicant must be designated a public or private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a valid Internal Revenue Service tax ID based in Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence counties. For an application and additional information, interested organizations can send an e-mail to hopelinesmallbiz@verizonwireless.com.  

Since 2005, Verizon Wireless has awarded more than $300,000 in grants to domestic violence organizations in Upstate New York.

In June, the company announced a partnership with the Verizon Foundation and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to award $45,000 in entrepreneurship grants to help domestic violence survivors develop small businesses in New York State.

Marking its 15th year in 2010, HopeLine today collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider, and then refurbishes the phones or recycles them in an environmentally friendly way. Proceeds from the HopeLine program benefit victims of domestic violence and non-profit advocacy agencies, providing essential communication tools of wireless phones and wireless services, and financial grants. Phone donations are accepted at all Verizon Wireless Stores across the country. For additional information, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: 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.

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