FAQs

Not finding what you need? Email us at vznmail@cybergrants.com or call (866) 247-2687.

• What qualifies under TIP as an organized pledge-a-thon?

  In order for an event to qualify as an organized "pledge-a-thon", the primary purpose for the event must be to raise donations pledged on behalf of event participants for the nonprofit organization prior to the event taking place. The event participants must participate in a coordinated group activity (e.g. walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon, read-a-thon, etc.) during the event and the event must be open to the general public; not just the Verizon Team members.

  • Pay to play events are not eligible
• What qualifies under the Team program as an organized pledge-a-thon?

  In order for an event to qualify as an organized "pledge-a-thon", the primary purpose for the event must be to raise donations pledged on behalf of event participants for the nonprofit organization prior to the event taking place. The event participants must participate in a coordinated group activity (e.g. walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon, read-a-thon, etc.) The event must be open to the general public; not just the Verizon Team members.

  • Pay to play events are not eligible
• Who does the fundraising for a Team event?

  Fundraising must be done by the individual members registered for the team event.  Employees are not permitted to register/request a Team grant for the fundraising/donation efforts of others.

• Does the VZ employee need to participate in the event to request a Team grant – or does fundraising in and of itself qualify under the Team program?

  The employee must fundraise and participate in the event in order to request a Team grant on behalf of their efforts.

• If I'm not certain if an event I'm participating in is eligible under the Team Program, what should I do?

  Please contact the Verizon Matching Gifts Programs Support Center by e-mail at: vznmail@cybergrants.com or by phone at: 1-866-247-2687 from 8:00AM to 8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday. We'll let you know if the event is eligible for matching funds under the Team Fundraising.

• If a nonprofit requires a minimum dollar amount in order to participate in a pledge-a-thon, can an employee use the match to reach the minimum dollar amount?

  No. An employee must raise the full amount through pledges and cannot use the Foundation's match to reach the required minimum dollar amount requested by the nonprofit.

• Does a team have to register before a pledge-a-thon event?

  Yes, the team of active employees must register at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

• If there's a registration fee associated with a Team event pledge-a-thon event, is the registration fee eligible for a match from the Verizon Foundation?

  No. Only pledges raised by the employee and the team are eligible for the Team Program match.

• Can a team of 10 employees or more register a pledge-a-thon event after the event takes place?

  No. Teams must register events prior to the actual event date.

• Can employees participating in a Team Program pledge-a-thon event register the hours they spent organizing the event and collecting pledges through the Volunteer Program?

  No. Hours spent organizing a pledge-a-thon event are not eligible to receive a Volunteer Incentive Program grant award.

• Can employees participating in a Team event pledge-a-thon event register their pledge amount under the Matching Program?

  No. Only individual active Verizon employee contributions -- not pledges -- are eligible for a match through the Foundation's Matching Program.

• If I participate at a telethon/radiothon with other Verizon employees (answering phones, taking pledge information, etc.) would this be eligible under the Team Program?

  No. Telethons/radiothons are not eligible for the Team Program.

• Are multiple teams eligible to receive separate matches for the same event (same host organization, city, state, event date)?

  No. Multiple teams may not be matched for the exact same event, they would be combined and matched as one team.

• How does the company's solicitation and distribution guidelines apply to these charitable activities?

  The Code of Conduct prohibits the use of Company resources as a tool for solicitation.

• Am I permitted to request a grant for my donation to a nonprofit if I am a paid employee of the benefitting nonprofit organization or receive a stipend from the organization?

  No.  You may not request a grant for your donation to an organization if you are a paid employee of that organization or receive a stipend from the organization.