NEWARK, N.J.

Thanks to the generosity of Verizon customers who participated in the company’s Check Into Literacy program, grants totaling more than $250,000 are now available to nonprofit literacy organizations in New Jersey.

The Check Into Literacy initiative allows Verizon landline phone customers to make a convenient $1-a-month, tax-deductible donation to support literacy programs when customers pay their Verizon bill. Individual grants will range from $1,000 to $25,000. Since the program began in New Jersey in 2000, more than $1 million has been collected for the Check Into Literacy program.

“A dollar a month may not seem like much, but it can go a long way to improving literacy skills in local communities and giving people the opportunity to succeed,” said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey. “Literacy is the foundation of a successful future, and Verizon is proud to partner with our customers to assist literacy organizations throughout New Jersey.”

Eligible nonprofit organizations in the state can submit proposals online. More information about the grants, including application instructions and forms, can be found at www.verizon.com/nj.

To qualify for funding, applicants must be a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization providing basic reading skills and computer and Web-based literacy programs to New Jersey residents in underserved communities in Verizon’s landline service territory. Grant proposals must be submitted by June 11, 2010. Verizon plans to announce grant recipients on or around Aug. 13.