This is a message from CTLS-L. Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the originator. Selecting "Reply to All" will send a message to the entire list. --------------------------------------------------------- SBC Foundation Launches 2004 SBC Excelerator Grant Program
$9
million program now available to nonprofit organizations to build stronger
communities through technology 2004 SBC Excelerator RFP
The
SBC Foundation - the philanthropic arm of SBC Communications Inc. - has
increased its SBC Excelerator technology grant program to a total of $28
million. In 2004, $9 million is available to national and local nonprofit
organizations for projects that use technology to build stronger communities.
SBC Excelerator is a major philanthropic initiative that connects the nation’s
neediest residents - including at-risk youth and underserved urban families -
to important community resources, such as Internet access, computer training,
math and reading classes, and job skills programs. “SBC
Excelerator has helped our organization improve its day-to-day operations,
aiding us in our effort to promote student success,” said Nancy Reed, executive
director of Communities in Schools of San Antonio, a 2003 SBC Excelerator grant
recipient. “Our ability to use technology to improve the way we train staff and
manage information allows us to quickly identify what students need to learn
successfully and stay in school.” This
year, the SBC Excelerator grant program will award $5 million in competitive
technology-related grants, enabling nonprofit organizations to integrate
technology into their ongoing operations and community outreach. Interested
organizations can apply for this year’s grant by downloading a copy of the 2004
request for proposals (RFP) from www.sbc.com/foundation, or by calling 1-800-591-9663. In
addition, this year, SBC Excelerator will provide $4 million in an invitational
grant effort to support exceptional national organizations and programs with a
significant local presence in the SBC 13-state service region. The SBC
Foundation has allocated $28 million through national and local SBC Excelerator
grants in the past three years. Since 2002, SBC Excelerator has supported more
than 3,000 nonprofit organizations across the nation. 2004
SBC Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations across the U.S.
improve their operations and build stronger communities through: �
Interactive,
Web-based applications that support activities such as service delivery,
volunteer recruiting and e-fundraising
“Nonprofit
organizations are on the front lines of helping the neediest people where we
live and work,” said Laura Sanford, president of the SBC Foundation. “The SBC
Foundation has connected communities for 20 years. SBC Excelerator is unique
because it removes technology roadblocks and enables nonprofit organizations to
focus on what they do best - serving community needs.” To
qualify for an SBC Excelerator grant, an organization’s major focus and project
must emphasize education, community development, health and human services, or
arts and culture. Grant funds may be used for data communications services,
hardware, software, technology training, personnel, and application
development. Grants will range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are one year in
length. Collaborations by two or more organizations will be considered for
grants up to $50,000 for one year. Grant recipients of the 2003 SBC Excelerator
program are eligible to submit a grant application for the 2004 program. Completed applications are due
by August 13, 2004. The
SBC Excelerator program is the largest special grants program ever undertaken
by the SBC Foundation, one of the top corporate foundations in the nation,
according to The Foundation Center. SBC Excelerator marks a significant part of
the SBC Foundation’s 20th anniversary year. Since 1984, SBC
Communications and the SBC Foundation have contributed more than $1 billion to
nonprofit organizations across the country. According to Business Week magazine’s
2003 Special Report on Corporate Philanthropy, SBC Communications ranks as one
of the largest providers of corporate philanthropic funding in America. The
SBC Foundation is the charitable giving arm of SBC Communications Inc. The SBC
Foundation supports efforts that enrich and strengthen diverse communities
nationwide, particularly those with an emphasis on education and technology and
those that benefit underserved populations. SBC Foundation-backed programs are
designed to increase access to information technologies, broaden technology
training and professional skills development, and effectively integrate new
technologies to enhance education and economic development. The Foundation
Center has consistently ranked the SBC Foundation among the nation’s top six
corporate foundations. In 2002, the SBC Foundation launched SBC Excelerator, a
multimillion dollar competitive grants program that funds nonprofit
organizations in their efforts to digitally connect communities. |
