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AT&T Awards $24,850 Technology Grant to ScienceSouth
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The AT&T Foundation — the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) —
has announced that it has awarded $24,850 to ScienceSouth, a Pee Dee-based science education
nonprofit. ScienceSouth will use grant funds to create self-guided outdoor science and technology
programs that will be accessible through a wireless Internet connection at its 35-acre site.
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 680
regional and local nonprofit organizations have benefited nationwide from $9 million 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. In 2007, $267,500 in AT&T Excelerator
grants were awarded to South Carolina nonprofit organizations.
“With the involvement of AT&T, ScienceSouth will present challenging and entertaining learning
opportunities designed to provoke and inspire young people to achieve scientific and technical skills,”
said Hood Temple, chairman, ScienceSouth board of trustees. “ScienceSouth’s new facility along Jeffries
Creek in Florence will offer highly engaging learning programs in a unique atmosphere. Technology is
critical to the planned experience; for example, participants will access a wireless network to support
a tremendous variety of experiences, from insect identification to radio-controlled aircraft workshops.”
Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman, a passionate supporter of this initiative, said: “By investing in ScienceSouth,
AT&T is enabling young people to experiment with real applications of technology. This is what inspires
our next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians.”
“ScienceSouth has a unique vision of a learning center,” said Florence Mayor Frank Willis. “AT&T’s
support of that vision is an important signal of the significance of this project to Florence and the
Pee Dee region.
“In today’s fast-paced world, technology is a vital component to the success of nonprofit organizations,
which do not always have the funds to properly use cost-saving technologies,” said Pamela P. Lackey,
president, AT&T South Carolina. “Personally seeing the benefits of technology at organizations such as
ScienceSouth demonstrates the increased need to properly fund and equip such efforts.”
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 Buddy Bateman, AT&T’s regional director, Florence.
“ScienceSouth and other organizations in the Pee Dee market 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 Senator Leatherman and Mayor Willis for their dedication in assisting nonprofit organizations
in the Pee Dee and for their understanding of the vital role that technology plays in their success.”
2007 AT&T Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations across South Carolina 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.
CONTACT:
Colleen Zilio
ScienceSouth
(843) 629-4040
FAX (843) 629-4341
zilio@sciencesouth.org
www.sciencesouth.org
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