The NBCUniversal Foundation And NBC And Telemundo Owned Stations Launch 'Project Innovation'

Program will recognize non-profits using tech and innovation to solve everyday challenges and award nearly $5 million in grants during 2018 and 2019.

The NBCUniversal Foundation, in partnership with NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, today announced the launch of “Project Innovation,” a new competitive grant challenge that will award approximately $5 million in grants over the span of two years, to local not-for-profit organizations that leverage technology to solve everyday problems in the areas of civic engagement, skills for the digital economy and STEM/STEAM youth programming. Grant applications open on January 12, 2018 and close on February 2, 2018. Project Innovation grant winners will be announced in March 2018.

“Project Innovation weds our identity as an innovative global media company with our stations’ deeply rooted commitment to the communities they serve. We are excited to introduce our new grant challenge to the non-profit community and look forward to recognizing outstanding organizations that are embracing technology and innovation to develop new community solutions,” said Jessica Clancy, Vice President, Community Impact, Comcast NBCUniversal.

Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations located in 11 markets served by NBCUniversal-owned stations can visit their local NBC or Telemundo owned station website beginning January 12, 2018 to officially apply for the grant challenge and access more information on eligibility requirements. The participating markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington, D.C., Miami-Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Boston and Hartford, CT.

“Encouraging creativity and the drive to invent the future are ingrained in our culture. We’re pleased to work with the NBCUniversal Foundation to support outstanding local organizations that are doing their part to help move our communities forward,” added Valari Staab, President, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations.

NBC and Telemundo-owned stations will award up to $225,000 in Project Innovation grants to a maximum of eight non-profit organizations per market. Project Innovation grants will be presented to organizations that are leveraging media and technology to engage their constituencies in civic engagement, helping to close the socio-economic gap in their cities through innovative job training and workforce development programs, and are leading the way in shaping K-12 students to be the next generation of workers in advanced careers in STEM or STEAM fields.

For more information about Project Innovation, please visit nbcuniversal.com.

About NBCUniversal Foundation
NBCUniversal Foundation works to advance initiatives at the cross-section of societal needs and NBCUniversal’s priorities. The Foundation supports programs and organizations that strive to move communities forward – with a focus on innovation and technology. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.

About NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations is the division of NBCUniversal that includes 30 NBC and Telemundo local television stations, a regional news network and their associated websites and digital platforms, as well as a group of out-of-home properties, a production company, an in-house marketing and promotions company and two national multicast networks, COZI TV and TeleXitos. The local stations, which can be viewed in 37 percent of U.S. homes and in Puerto Rico, produce and deliver their local communities compelling and unique local news, real-time weather forecasts, consumer and investigative reports and entertainment programming across all platforms to help keep their English and Spanish-speaking audiences informed anytime and anywhere.