FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
CONTACT:
Ann Marie Walker, Marketing Manager
(815) 963-6769, ext. 2832

AT&T Supports Nonprofit Organizations in Rockford; Builds Stronger Communities Through $9 Million in National Grant Program

For more information, contact:
Chris Comes (AT&T)
Office: 312-932-2832
E-mail: ccomes@attnews.us

AT&T Excelerator Grants Assist Organizations Serving Diverse Ethnic Groups, Low-Income Families, People with Disabilities, Youth, and Seniors

ROCKFORD, Ill., December 11, 2007 — The AT&T Foundation — the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) — has announced that it has awarded more than $18,000 to support two Rockford organizations through the AT&T Excelerator competitive technology grant program.

Since 2002, the AT&T Excelerator program has provided more than 2,500 technology grants — totaling more than $47.8 million — to organizations across the country. In 2007, more than 50 organizations across Illinois have benefited from nearly $9 million available through the competitive program. This year, the AT&T Foundation expanded the Excelerator grant program for the first time to include AT&T Southeast’s nine-state service area.

“The Regional Access and Mobilization Project’s (RAMP) mission is promoting an accessible society that allows and expects full participation of people with disabilities. This grant from AT&T is going to let us introduce an important new product that will help people with a hearing loss do exactly that. We want to thank AT&T for being such a strong regional partner,” RAMP Executive Director Julie Bosma said.

The more than $13,000 grant will support the creation of a Web site to market SoundScapes, a retail outlet for assistive listening devices for people with a hearing loss. Online purchasing and customer tracking software, as well as an upgrade of computers and staff training, are needed.

“We are always looking to create more opportunities for joyful learning and discovery through hands-on experiences in science and art. AT&T’s grant is allowing us to reach even more underserved children by exposing them to all the possibilities that state-of-the-art technology can deliver,” Discovery Center Museum Executive Director Sarah Wolf said.

The $5,000 grant will support the museum's outreach program bring educational science programs to the underserved. It will help with the purchase of a computer, wireless service and software for implementation of this project.

“By opening the doors to all that technology has to offer, we can help people build even better lives. That is what these dedicated organizations are going to be able to do thanks to AT&T’s ongoing support,” state Senator Brad Burzynski said.

“In today’s fast-paced world, technology is a vital component to the success of nonprofit organizations that do not always have the funds to properly use cost-saving technologies,” said state Senator Dave Syverson. “Personally seeing the benefits of technology at organizations such as the Regional Access and Mobilization Project and Discovery Center Museum demonstrate the increased need to properly fund and equip such efforts.”

“Technology dominates our lives in so many different ways that we often take it for granted. But many nonprofit groups like RAMP don’t have the budgets to invest in these tools that are so valuable and cost effective. I want to thank AT&T for continuing to make these types of investments in our communities, which will pay important dividends today and tomorrow,” state Representative Jim Sacia said.

“The love of learning is a gift that lasts a lifetime. The Discovery Center Museum is instilling that love of both science and art in our children in innovative and creative ways. I want to thank AT&T for investing in this vital cultural institution that is impacting young people across the region,” state Representative Dave Winters said.

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.

“For the past six years, the AT&T Excelerator program has demonstrated the importance of how technology can benefit communities and organizations,” said Brad Jensen, director, External Affairs, AT&T Illinois. ”The Regional Access and Mobilization Project, Discovery Center Museum and other organizations in Northern Illinois will continue to use technology funded by this program to empower the community and change the lives of the people whom they serve on a day-to-day basis. We commend Senators Burzynski and Syverson and Representatives Sacia and Winters for their dedication in assisting nonprofit organizations in the region and understanding the vital role that technology plays in their success.”

2007 AT&T Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations across Illinois and 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.

Find More Information Online:

Web Site Links: Related Releases:
AT&T Web Site
AT&T Foundation Web Site
American Foundation for the Blind Web Site
AT&T Provides Ivy Tech with Nearly $40,000 to Increase Technology Access for Low-Income Students
AT&T Launches $1.5 Million Competitive Grant Program to Help Nonprofits Extend Education with Wireless Technology
Technorati Tags: AT&T, Nonprofits, Grants, AT&T Excelerator, Technology, AT&T Foundation

About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2006, AT&T contributed more than $101 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc., combine more than $1.8 billion of historic charitable commitment to communities across the country.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

© 2007 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.

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For additional information, the public is encouraged to call Discovery Center at (815) 963-6769 or visit the Museum’s web site at www.discoverycentermuseum.org. Discovery Center Museum, one of the Nation’s 10 Best Children’s Museums as cited by Child magazine, is located inside Riverfront Museum Park at 711 North Main Street, Rockford, Ill. General admission to the Museum is $5 adults, $4 children (ages 2 to 17) and free to children under 2 years and Museum members. Hours of operation are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; Thursday until 7p.m. (summer only); and Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday.