Motorola Mobility Foundation Opens 2012 Empowerment Grants Program Applications

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Feb. 15, 2012 /3BL Media /PRNewswire/ -- The Motorola Mobility Foundation is accepting applications for the 2012 Empowerment Grants – a one-of-a-kind grant program designed to help U.S.-based nonprofit organizations develop mobile applications and use mobile technology that will help transform and benefit the communities they serve. The program addresses four areas of focus: education, health and wellness, community, and arts and culture.

The Empowerment Grants program plays a unique role in identifying and supporting nonprofit organizations that want to further their mission through the use of technology. The program funds the development of social and mobile applications and use of digital technology that not only fosters innovation, but creates opportunities to build stronger communities.   "We're very excited to offer a program that will help nonprofits create mobile applications and use mobile technology in a way that has such a positive impact on the future of their communities and their efforts," said Eileen Sweeney, director of the Motorola Mobility Foundation. "The Empowerment Grants program represents our ongoing commitment to providing critical resources that empower people to communicate more effectively, access valuable information and learn in a more personalized way."   Last year marked the launch of the Empowerment Grants program, which awarded funding to grantees covering a wide variety of innovative outreach activities, ranging from technology-literacy education, teacher training, and driving solutions that promote healthy behavior via technology. Among the 2011 Empowerment Grant winners was the National Center for Women & IT, the Safe America Foundation, Project Exploration and Mighty Writers.   This year the Motorola Mobility Foundation is looking for nonprofits to show how the innovative use of digital and mobile technology can be used to further a nonprofit's mission. Projects that are focused on furthering skills and engaging stakeholders through developing applications that capture digital storytelling, using social media to engage volunteers, using crowd-sourcing for community resource mapping and new ideas such as gamefication in education to engage students are encouraged.   Who Can Apply
To apply for an Empowerment Grant, successful applicants must demonstrate ways in which digital and mobile technology can be used to further a nonprofit's mission. They must also be:

• A registered or incorporated 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization or a NCES school or school district

• An online program based in the U.S., a U.S. national program, or based in the U.S. and serve communities in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania or Texas.

• Aligned with funding priorities in the areas of education, health and wellness, community, and arts and culture.

How to Apply
From now until March 1, 2012, organizations can download the Empowerment App APP from Android Market™. The app will provide more information about the grants program and the invitation code needed to access our full online application. After March 1, organizations can visit www.cybergrants.com/motorolamobility/empowermentgrants to apply.

Application Due Date
Applications for Empowerment Grants will be accepted through March 23, 2012. Grant recipients will be notified in May. For more information about the Empowerment Grants program visit http://www.Motorola.com/give or emailgiving@motorola.com.   About Motorola Mobility Foundation 
The Motorola Mobility Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Mobility. With employees located around the globe, Motorola Mobility seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships, fostering innovation and engaging stakeholders. The Motorola Mobility Foundation focuses its funding on education, community, health and wellness and disaster relief. For more information, on Motorola Mobility Corporate and Foundation giving, visit Motorola.com/give.   About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.   Copyright 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.