Technology Grants Help Hundreds of Nonprofits Build Stronger Communities

The AT&T Excelerator program provides technology access to organizations working to strengthen underserved communities. Helping nonprofits integrate technology into their operations and community outreach, AT&T Excelerator grants also place technology tools in the hands of the underserved populations that the nonprofits work with in order to provide resources such as education programs, Internet access, computer training and job-skills development.

Since its inception in 2002, the AT&T Excelerator competitive technology grant program has provided more than 2,500 technology grants -- totaling more than $47.8 million -- to deserving organizations across the country.

Examples of 2007 grant recipients and their projects include:

-- Indiana University (Bloomington, Ind.) will use grant funds to purchase laptops for a new, mobile computer lab to help teach student research and technology skills.

-- Home of Hope Inc. (Vinta, Okla.) will create two computer labs to support its School to Work program, designed for high school students with disabilities.

-- Second Harvest Food Bank of Coastal Georgia Inc. (Savannah, Ga.) will use grant funds to upgrade software that helps improve its distribution process to reach more people in need.

-- The National Asian Women's Health Organization (San Francisco) will launch the National Virtual Health Center Technology Project, an online, multimedia resource designed to raise awareness of health issues affecting Asian women.

"Technology is making a huge difference in the efficiencies of nonprofits," said Laura Sanford, president of the AT&T Foundation. "With computers, Internet access and networking tools, nonprofits can broaden their outreach and educational efforts -- ultimately affecting more lives in the community."

2007 AT&T Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations across the U.S. improve their operations and build stronger communities through:

-- Internet Access - networked, high speed access to the Internet and e-mail.

-- Data Networking - network connectivity that enables easy sharing of database applications and information systems.

-- Online Outreach - interactive, Web-based applications that support activities such as service delivery, volunteer recruiting and e-fundraising.

-- Staff Technology Capacity - technology-training programs for nonprofit staff members.

-- Pooled Technology Resources - programs that work to address the technology needs of multiple nonprofits.

In 2006, AT&T Inc. and the AT&T Foundation contributed more than $101 million to nonprofit organizations across the country. With its strong giving record, the AT&T Foundation ranks among the most generous corporate foundations in the United States.