Being the world’s leading provider of broadband and wireless communications services and the world’s largest provider of online and print directory information, Verizon Communications is nearly unmatched in entrepreneurial successes. The New York-based company has supplied the world with the most innovative communications solutions that have spurred convergence of communications, information, and entertainment services.

As a Fortune 10 company, Verizon recognizes the magnitude of its responsibility to the community and is committed to contributing to these communities by supporting organizations as well as establishing foundations that will uplift peoples’ lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, it seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of communities.

In 2008 alone, through Verizon Foundation, it donated to over 2,400 nonprofit organizations in New York amounting to 13.5 million. This corporate giving benefited several nonprofit organizations focused on advocacy work on victims of domestic violence and for educating underperforming and underprivileged children.

Among these recipient organizations are those that help female victims of domestic violence, women on parole, and other troubled women cope and rebuild their lives. These include the New York Women’s Foundation and the Greenhope Services for Women.

Verizon also gave to several children-focused advocacy groups such the YMCA of Greater New York which launches after-school literacy program and communications skills training for pre-school and grade-level students and the Child Center of New York, which enhances literacy through computer-based reading and ESL for immigrant and learning-disabled children.

Literacy and education is a development thrust for Verizon Foundation, supporting endeavors that seek to promote literacy among the underprivileged American children, especially found among the immigrant population. Through its collaboration with nonprofits such as Junior Achievement of Western New York and the Literacy Volunteers of America, it has provided literacy, job skills training, health care and community resource information.

Verizon also lends its aid to public education. Perhaps its most popular philanthropic educational initiative is its free educational website Thinkfinity.org, which advances literacy and K-12 education, and also provides educators with various links to educational teaching materials and assessment tools.

For its significant philanthropic contributions, it was awarded the Philanthropy in Public Education Award by the NEA Foundation in acknowledgment of the company’s support to public education, literacy and student achievement.

Due to its belief in corporate social responsibility, philanthropy is a company effort at Verizon, where volunteerism is encouraged and appreciated. Its employee volunteer program, Verizon Volunteers, is one of the nation’s largest, and has contributed more than 3 million hours of voluntary community work since 2000.

Post Author: guest

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 20th, 2009 at 5:59 pm and is filed under Philanthropy News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.