Verizon Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Verizon Foundation takes a broad approach to funding, and does not maintain specific programs.

IP TAKE: This is not an accessible or approachable funder. Though it offers small to medium-sized grants in diverse areas of funding, the foundation does not make grants through LOIs or otherwise. Grantseeking organizations are invited to contact their local community relations manager for questions about potential opportunities, which adds a layer of bureaucracy to grants. Those that can demonstrate how their work benefits diverse communities may have a better chance at securing Verizon funding.

PROFILE: Formerly known as the Bell Atlantic Foundation, the Verizon Foundation was established in 1985 and is the primary philanthropic arm of the global technology and telecommunications company. The foundation aims to support a wide range of programs that “benefit diverse communities including minorities, veterans, and LGBTQ+.”  Verizon supports both secular and non-secular organizations. According to the foundation’s website, its priorities include “Digital Inclusion, Climate Protection and Human Prosperity.” However, tax filings reveal that it has made grants to causes as diverse as STEM education for K-12 youth and higher education, support for LGBTQ and women and girls, domestic violence prevention, animal welfare and wildlife conservation, and global health and research into brain health and development.

Grants for Brain Research, Global and Public Health

The foundation does not have a specific grantmaking program dedicated to global or public health causes; however, its tax filings indicate an interest in supporting health related organizations. In the past, Verizon has awarded grants to organizations such as Global Brigades and Children International.

Grants for LGBTQ

The foundation does not have a specific grantmaking program dedicated to LGBTQ organizations; however, its tax filings indicate a broad and undefined interest in this field. Past grantees include organizations such as Gay Men’s Health Crisis and the Gay and Lesbian National Hotline.

Grants for Women and Girls

Formerly known as the AOL Charitable Foundation, the Oath Foundation was the philanthropic arm of the telecommunications company Oath, now Verizon Media. Since its merger, the Oath Foundation has joined forces with the Verizon Foundation since January 1, 2019. While the name Oath may not be familiar to some, its brands such as tumblr, HuffPost, and TechCrunch. The Oath Foundation formerly sought to “improve the lives of women, girls, and underserved youth worldwide,” by increasing access to education and technology, building the next generation of leaders, and fostering creativity and innovation. The Verizon Foundation continues these priorities though it does not maintain a specific grantmaking program for girls and women’s organizations; however, its tax filings indicate a continued interest in supporting women and girl’s empowerment. In the past, Verizon has awarded grants to organizations such as Girls Who Code, Connections for Abused Women and Families, and Empowering Women Leaders. 

Grants for Animal Welfare and Wildlife

Verizon supports causes important to its employees, which includes animals and wildlife. According to its tax filings, the foundation gives widely to local animal shelters, rescue organizations, and service animal outfits. For example, 4 Paws for Ability and 2nd Chance Pet Adoptions are grantees as are a host of local Humane Societies across the United States.

Grants for STEM Education

The Verizon Foundation does not have a specific grantmaking program dedicated to STEM or higher education but has supported technology and teacher education programs at public and private colleges and universities across the U.S. Past higher education grantees include Andrews University, Albion College, Brooklyn College and Arizona State University.

Grants for Violence Prevention

The foundation’s Domestic Violence grantmaking supports organizations that support victims and survivors of domestic violence and those that strive to prevent it. Grantmaking centers on youth, women and older adults. Past grantees in this space include Women Helping Battered Women in Burlington, Vermont; Women Moving On, located in Decatur, Georgia, and Camp Hope, “a national youth program focused on ending the cycle of generational violence.”

Important Grant Details:

Verizon typically awards a large number of modest-sized grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Grants generally support smaller and established organizations equally. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding, but grantseekers are invited to contact their local community relations manager for questions about potential opportunities. To learn more about Verizon’s grantmaking, download its latest available tax filings here.

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