Countless members of nonprofit and charity staffs use Verizon as their cellular and/or internet (and/or cable) provider. But did you know the Verizon Foundation also supports such nonprofits and charities with grants in money, kind, and service? The Foundation focuses on issues pertaining to K-through-12 education, health care, and sustainability/environmentalism, so if your organization is involved in any of these fields, you should reach out and touch them (Er, wrong service. And century.). Here’s how.
As a component of Verizon, the largest provider of cellular and internet services in the US, the Foundation concentrates on the interplay of technology and social good: “The Verizon Foundation is focused on using technology to solve critical social issues in the areas of sustainability, education, and health care. Through the support of our employees and resources, we help address the needs of communities around the world.”
Their standards of eligibility are commensurate with other grants, including the need for some variation of 501(c)3 in good status with the IRS. They stress the fact that the foundation will not support land or major hardware/software purchases.
- Grant funds may not be used for real property or plant capital purchases.
- At least 85% of the total grant funds must be comprised of direct costs (costs that are directly attributable to the project.)
- IT-related purchases (Hardware and Software) should total no more than 20% of the grant’s total direct costs.
In the area of healthcare, the foundation is especially interested in programs that help bring care to rural, remote, and underserved communities. The area of sustainability has a notable educational component, and the educational component stresses access to online information and programs to develop synergies between education and technology.
The application is online, and opportunities to apply for 2013 begin on January 1st, so you and your colleagues have opportunity to develop your proposal. A ‘test page’ of the application is available now, so look it over and work with your writing staff to submit a great proposal!
