NEA Foundation Applauds Educational Philanthropy

Gives Verizon First Philanthropy in Public Education Award

Washington, DC (January 26, 2009) – The NEA Foundation announced today that it will present its inaugural Philanthropy in Public Education Award to Verizon Communications in recognition of the company’s support of public education and literacy.

“The purpose of this award is to recognize those businesses and philanthropic entities that have made a significant contribution in public education by advancing student achievement,” said Harriet Sanford, President & CEO of the NEA Foundation. “We selected Verizon because of its long history of supporting quality, technology-based educational resources and literacy programs that are helping educators improve student achievement and that support lifelong education.”

With an annual giving budget of $76 million, Verizon is one of the nation’s top corporate foundations. Its signature philanthropic initiative, Thinkfinity.org, is a comprehensive website that provides thousands of free, high-quality, standards-based, lesson plans and interactive K-12 student materials. The website also provides educators with links to a wealth of information on discipline-specific websites, as well as professional development and assessment tools.

“The power of the private sector to strengthen public education is critical and clearly recognized by Verizon. When organizations decide to use their resources to support educators, students win,” said Lauri J. Fitz-Pegado, Chair of the NEA Foundation’s Board of Directors. “By supporting programs that improve teaching and learning, corporations make a critical contribution to young Americans realizing their dreams and preparing for an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing global economy. This investment will derive benefit to us all in the end, as it leads to a stronger work force.”

The NEA Foundation will present its first Philanthropy in Public Education Award to Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg at its annual Salute to Excellence to Education Awards Gala, which recognizes the nation’s top educators and is held in Washington, DC on February 6.

About The NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation is an independent public charity created in 1969 and sustained by contributions from educators, corporate sponsors, and other supporters of public education.  The Foundation offers grants and programs that support educators' efforts to close the achievement gaps, increase classroom innovations, provide professional development, and salute excellence in education.  For more information, visit neafoundation.org.