Cox Launches Cox Charities to Support Youth and Education Initiatives

Cox Charities will issue grants to non-profit organizations serving the Hampton Roads and Roanoke regions; Advisory Board Announced

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications has created Cox Charities, a new charitable giving initiative that will support non-profit organizations focused on youth and education programs in the Hampton Roads and Roanoke regions.

"Cox has a long history of providing community support to Boys & Girls Clubs in the Greater Hampton Roads and Roanoke regions, the Urban League, Access College, and Junior Achievement to name a few. In fact, each year we give millions in the name of community support. Cox Charities will help us to focus our giving and leverage our business partnerships to accomplish more on behalf of children," said Gary McCollum, Cox Senior Vice President and General Manager.

"As part of this program, grants will be awarded to qualifying organizations that offer proposals that support the academic achievement and development of young people. Given the state of our economy and the many non-profits that reach out to us for help each day, there is clearly no better time to launch this initiative," he continued.

Annually, local non-profits will be invited to apply for funding. The total grant value and number of grants awarded will vary from year-to-year depending on fundraising activity. A Cox Charities website has been created at www.coxcharities.org and includes information concerning specific grant criteria, deadlines and an application. To receive funding, groups must serve areas within Cox's Hampton Roads or Roanoke service areas. They also must be focused on youth and education initiatives involving science and technology, mentoring, literacy and/or other programs designed to advance the education of youth. Applications for funding will be accepted in October 15, 2009. Complete details will be posted at www.coxcharities.org.

Leigh Woisard, Cox Vice President of Public and Government Affairs said, "We will draw on our own resources and that of our business partners to support Cox Charities. We are delighted that Bloomberg News, Discovery Networks, and Cisco are among our business partners that have already contributed their support. While some may say this is a difficult time to launch a charitable initiative, Cox - led by our 2,000 local employees - believes that given the need, there is no better time to help worthy organizations focused on the well-bring of children."

Cox Charities Advisory Board Members

The United Way of South Hampton Roads will assist in reviewing grant applications and will serve as the Cox Charities fiscal agent. An Advisory Board, comprised of community and business leaders, has been appointed to make the final grant selections. The 2009 Cox Charities Advisory Board members are as follows:

• Beatriz Amberman, Chair, Virginia Latino Advisory Board
• Golden H. Bethune-Hill, Vice President, Riverside Regional Medical Center
• The Honorable John A. Cosgrove, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates
• Mike Hughes, President/CEO, United Way of Hampton Roads
• The Honorable Robert W. Mathieson, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates
• The Honorable Yvonne B. Miller, Senator, Virginia Senate
• The Honorable G. Glenn Oder, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates
• Honorable Ronald John A. Villanueva, Council Member-at Large, City of Virginia Beach
• Honorable William E. Ward, Former Mayor, City of Chesapeake Virginia
• Edith G. White, President/CEO, Urban League of Hampton Roads
• William R. Reid, Ex-officio, CFO, United Way of South Hampton Roads
• Jagdish A. Singh, President of Citizens First and Member of Virginia Council on Human Rights
• Gary McCollum, Cox Senior Vice President and General Manager
• Leigh Woisard, Cox Vice President Public and Government Affairs
• Scott Sale, Cox Vice President Business Operations
• Kim Stanley, Cox Vice President Operations-Roanoke
  

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers. The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network, as well as integrated wireless services. Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses. Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services. Cox Communications wholly owns and operates the Travel Channel. More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com, www.coxbusiness.com, and www.coxmedia.com. In Hampton Roads, Cox has more than 400,000 basic cable subscribers.

Media Contacts:

Felicia Blow, APR: 757-222-8432 or felicia.blow@cox.com

Cox Charities

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Cox Charities?

Cox Charities is a newly launched philanthropic initiative that serves the Hampton Roads and Roanoke regions. While it is not a foundation, it is similar in organization.

2. What is the mission of Cox Charities? What are the types of program it funds?

The mission of Cox Charities is to provide grants to non-profit organizations serving the Greater Hampton Roads and Roanoke regions. Grants are intended for youth education programs involving science and technology, mentoring, literacy, and other areas promoting the education of youth.

3. What communities does Cox Charities support?

Cox Charities will consider grant requests from non-profit organization serving within the Greater Hampton Roads and Roanoke regions.

The specific communities in Hampton Roads are: Chesapeake, Currituck County (Knott's Island only); Gloucester County, Hampton; James City County, King & Queen County, Newport News, New Kent County; Norfolk, Portsmouth, Poquoson, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Town of West Point, and York County.

The specific communities in Roanoke are: the City of Roanoke, the County of Roanoke, and the Town of Vinton.

4. What role does the United Way of South Hampton Roads play in Cox Charities?

The United Way's subsidiary, Charitable Pledge Processing, LLC, serves as Cox's fiscal agent. Charitable Pledge Processing, LLC is an independent arm of the United Way agency and manages all contributions made to Cox Charities. The United Way also assists Cox Charities in evaluating grant applications

5. Why did Cox begin this program?

Cox's core community strategy is to participate in and enhance the communities in which the company operates. Each year, Cox gives an estimated $ 3 million in direct and in-kind donations to support the community. We believe that our community support and the creation of Cox Charities will allow the company to further enhance its giving, and its ability to help local communities within Cox's service areas. The company's nearly 2,000 employees play a key role in the success of Cox Charities.

6. How much money will Cox Charities distribute each year? What is the typical grant amount to be awarded?

It will vary each year. Cox Charities' total grant dissemination will be based on fund raising efforts throughout each fiscal year.

Individual grants will most often be distributed in increments of $5000 or $10,000.

7. Why is this a combined Hampton Roads and Roanoke effort?

Cox operations in Roanoke and Hampton Roads are now combined under the leadership of Gary McCollum who is General Manager and Senior Vice President of the combined organization.

8. Are Cox employees involved in Cox Charities?

Cox employees are the cornerstone of the company's charitable and community-outreach programs. As the program continues to build, Cox employees will help raise money for Cox Charities; volunteer at special events and recommend organizations for grant consideration.

9. How often are Cox Charities grants awarded?

Grants are issued once annually. The Cox Charities Advisory Board meets and chooses final grant recipients.

10. How can my organization apply for funding?

Our website, www.coxcharities.org; provides grant criteria information and information concerning the timing of the grant awards process. Please visit this site for updated information and to download an application.

11. Is this contribution tax-deductible?

Yes. All donations to Cox Charities are tax-deductible.

12. How can residents and businesses support Cox Charities?

Contributions to Cox Charities can be made at any time. Checks can be made out to: Cox Charities. They can be mailed to: Cox Charities c/o Charitable Pledge Processing, LLC P.O. Box 12906 Norfolk, VA 23541-0906.

13. What is the role of the Advisory Board?

The Advisory Board will select from among final grant submissions; they will base their selections on recommendations from the United Way. The Advisory Board will make the final grant selections using an established grant review process.

14. If I have more questions, who do I call at Cox?

You may call 1-877-400-0936. You may also visit www.coxcharities.org for additional details regarding Cox Charities.

SOURCE Cox Communications