Funds Will Help Drive Development of Youth-Related Content and Programming
ARLINGTON, Va. and SAN JOSE, Calif. Jan. 14, 2008 - The PBS Foundation and Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced an award of $1 million to the PBS Foundation from the Adobe Foundation Fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The grant, part of the Adobe Youth Voices global philanthropy initiative, will establish PBS's Adobe Youth Voices Venture Fund and support PBS Foundation operations.
Through the venture fund, PBS Foundation will help support qualified professional and student producers in creating both original broadcast programming focused on youth-related subject matter and incorporating youth-generated media into public television broadcasts, on-line, on-air and in the classroom. Youth-relevant issues and concerns will be highlighted through original video, animation and photography. Building on PBS's long-standing relationships with teachers and the education community, the Adobe Youth Voices Venture Fund will allow PBS to engage young people around the country and encourage production of exciting and innovative content.
"For almost 40 years, PBS has opened new worlds to American youth.We are a trusted guide, helping young people visit new places and learn new things. This remarkable gift represents a wonderful opportunity to serve kids and teens in a powerful new way. Now young people who have been educated and inspired by PBS can work with us to create content that inspires their friends and classmates," said Paula A. Kerger, PBS's president and chief executive officer.
"We believe it's critical to arm young people with the creativity and technology skills to succeed in today's digital world," said Shantanu Narayen, Adobe president and chief executive officer. "We're proud the Adobe Youth Voices Venture Fund will help enable PBS Foundation to expand the development of youth-generated content and programming about issues relevant to youth."
About PBS
PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches nearly 73 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of digital learning content for pre-K-12 educators and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS’ premier kids’ TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.
PBS Foundation
The mission of the PBS Foundation is to enlist philanthropic support of public broadcasting through establishing special initiatives funds and a permanent endowment to ensure PBS's continued excellence, and to promote and enhance outstanding public broadcasting programs and services. Working collaboratively and cooperatively with member stations, the Foundation will secure the extraordinary funding necessary to maintain and enhance its commitment to serving the American public. The PBS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and a 509(a)(3) supporting organization of PBS. For more information, visit www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/pbsfoundation/index.html
About Adobe Youth Voices Adobe Youth Voices is a global philanthropic initiative that empowers youth worldwide to comment on their world using multimedia and digital tools to communicate and share their ideas, demonstrate their potential and take action in their communities. Now in its second year, Adobe Youth Voices is bringing digital tools and training to students and educators at 75 schools and nonprofit organizations worldwide, including sites in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and India. For more information, visit: www.www.adobe.com/go/youthvoices.
About Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Adobe Foundation Fund is a donor-advised fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The merger of Community Foundation Silicon Valley and Peninsula Community Foundation took effect on Jan. 1, 2007, creating Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a catalyst and leader for innovative solutions to the region's most challenging problems. Serving all of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, the new community foundation is among the largest community foundations in the nation, with more than $1.9 billion in assets under management and 1,500 philanthropic funds, including 40 corporate funds. Find out more at www.siliconvalleycf.org.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
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Contact information:
Kevin Dando, PBS, 703.739.5073 kdando@pbs.org
Jodi Warner, Adobe Systems Incorporated, 408-536-2084 jwarner@adobe.com
WWW.PBS.ORG/PRESSROOM