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DALLAS and FORT WORTH, Texas, July 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The NBC Universal Foundation, NBC 5 / KXAS-TV and Telemundo 39 / KXTX-TV will award $100,000 in grants to four North Texas non-profit organizations as part of NBC Universal's on-going commitment to improving secondary education in our communities. The award presentation will take place on Friday, July 20, 2007 at the NBC 5 studios.

Tom O'Brien, president and general manager of NBC 5, and Jose Valle, vice president and general manager of Telemundo 39, will present checks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County, Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas and Score a Goal in the Classroom.

"At NBC 5, we have a history of giving back to our community; it's a priority. North Texas is fortunate to have so many worthy organizations helping others in need, so we're thrilled to offer grants to four organizations that make a difference," said Tom O'Brien.

"It is indeed a privilege to be able to give these funds to local charities that help change our community in such positive ways," commented Jose Valle.

This NBC Universal corporate initiative targets cities with large NBC Universal employee populations and significant educational needs. The NBC Universal Foundation will award $1.25 million in grants to non-profits in six U.S. cities in 2007. It is the first year of funding for North Texas charities. North Texas employees from NBC Universal and parent company, General Electric, are actively involved with this effort, and will again have the opportunity to show their support by volunteering as mentors, tutors and career speakers.

NBC Universal grant recipients are chosen nationwide because of their impact on improving educational opportunities for sixth through twelfth grade students. The funding supports a wide range of programs, including career counseling, college test preparation, as well as developing digital literacy and utilizing theater performance to build cultural awareness. Organizations that received funding last year made significant progress in strengthening their students' academic performance.

The North Texas non-profit organizations benefiting are:

-- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas (http://www.bgcdallas.org/)

NBC Universal Foundation funds will be used for the Collegiate STEPS program. This program is designed to help at-risk youth attend college and to prepare for the opportunity by visiting local campuses, learning about financial aid sources and attending financial planning workshops. An assigned mentor provides positive reinforcement and motivation to continue their education.

-- Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County (http://www.cistarrant.org/)

NBC Universal Foundation funds will be used to place a full-time, licensed social worker on campus to serve the students at KEYS Learning Center. KEYS Learning Center serves at-risk students ages16-21 that have been identified as having significant personal, academic and economic needs. KEYS offers the opportunity for dropouts and at-risk students to complete required coursework needed for high school graduation. Individualized instruction, flexible scheduling and a quality, caring staff are the keynotes to this approach.

-- Girls Incorporated of Metropolitan Dallas (http://www.girlsincdallas.org/)

Through the Young Women's Company (YWCo,) girls learn about operating their own business. A component of YWCo is a summer entrepreneurial camp developed by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. More than 750 girls ages 12 to 18 that attend Girl Inc.'s six centers participate in the Young Women's Company.

-- Score a Goal in the Classroom (http://www.scoreagoalintheclassroom.org/)

The NBC Universal Foundation funds will support the coordination and facilitation of "Success Rallies" as well as provide prizes for improved attendance and academic achievement awards. The grant will also fund recruitment, training and facilitation of speakers in the Speakers Bureau, as well as fund training and administration of adult mentors who participate in on-going mentoring programs. This year 4,730 volunteers will serve as mentors to help raise the level of education and honor heroes of our community -- teachers and school employees.

These are just some of the ways these organizations are planning to utilize the funds they will be awarded. For more information log on to http://www.nbc5i.com/community.

NBC 5 / KXAS-TV / nbc5i.com and Telemundo 39 / KXTX-TV are the NBC Universal

owned and operated media centers serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: NBC 5

CONTACT: James A Martinez of NBC 5, +1-817-429-5555

Web site:

http://www.nbc5i.com/
http://www.bgcdallas.org/
http://www.cistarrant.org/
http://www.girlsincdallas.org/
http://www.scoreagoalintheclassroom.org/

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Profile: Media News