FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2, 2005

CONTACTS: 
Daryl Ann Borel, Executive Director of Grant Administration, 409-838-1812         

FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $8 MILLION IN TECHNOLOGY GRANTS FOR INSTITUTIONS

Beaumont, TX  -- The Beaumont Foundation of America (BFA) announced awards of technology equipment valued at more than $8 million to approximately 170 schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia, the original states awarded in the Foundation’s initial year of giving. 
 
Public, private, charter, and parochial schools with a minimum of 50 percent enrollment in the National School Lunch Program submitted Letters of Interest. From those invited to apply, the Foundation made recommendations to the BFA Board of Directors, who unanimously approved the grants at their April meeting.
 
“Our 2005 education grantees are exemplary,” said Frank Newton, President and Chief Executive Officer. “They reflect the Foundation’s mission of awarding schools dedicated to instructional technology and to extending access to parents and community members.”
 
This is the fourth year of operations for BFA, which since 2002 has distributed state-of-the-art wireless equipment to more than 2,300 schools, community groups and individuals across the nation. Grant awards to underserved populations are funded through unclaimed money from a historic class action lawsuit.
 
Information about the Foundation is available at www.bmtfoundation.com or you may contact Daryl Ann Borel, Executive Director of Grant Administration. Grantees, including awards for 2005, can be located in the Yearbook section of the website.