Verizon Wireless and Verizon Foundation Announce $80,000 Domestic Violence Solutions RFP

Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Nonprofits Are Invited to Apply for Grants to Help Survivors of Domestic Violence

WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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 $80,000 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 2010 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.

“Verizon Wireless and the Verizon Foundation have a long-standing tradition of partnering with nonprofit agencies to help support the prevention of domestic violence,” said Ken Dixon, regional president for Verizon Wireless New England. “These grants will provide services for survivors of domestic abuse and their families, and we are pleased to continue our support of these agencies as they address this key social issue.”

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. To reach the online application, please visit http://foundation.verizon.com/login and enter the invitation code: 225TSSZNCV. Nonprofits are invited to apply by Friday, August 6.

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 90,000 phones with more than 300 million minutes of free wireless service to be used by victims of domestic violence. Through HopeLine’s recycling efforts, more than 1.6 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 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 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.

About the Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational website, Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org), and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 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 $26.1 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 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

CONTACT:

Verizon Wireless
Michael Murphy, 781-932-1213
michael.murphy(at)verizonwireless.com
or
Verizon Foundation
Stephanie Lee, 617-743-5440
stephanie.s.lee@verizon.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Technology  Consumer Electronics  Data Management  Networks  Telecommunications  Mobile/Wireless  Philanthropy  Foundation

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