| 
McCormick Tribune Disaster Relief Fund
Raises More Than $20 Million
Awards grants of $4.9
million to 23 social service agencies
$8.7 million awarded
since terrorist attacks
CHICAGO, November 12, 2001 --
Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB)
and its partner the McCormick Tribune Foundation today announced
that the Disaster Relief Fund has now raised more than $20
million. The fund was established in the wake of the terrorist
attacks of September 11 to assist agencies helping victims
of the tragedy.
Approximately $17.7 million has been raised
through individual contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund.
The McCormick Tribune Foundation contributed another $2.5
million in matching funds to the effort.
The Foundation announced a second round of
grants totaling $4.9 million to 23 social service agencies.
Individual grants of $500,000 each were made to:
- Asian American Federation of New York, Inc.
for community relief and revitalization initiatives;
- Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service for
disaster relief centers;
- Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Inc.
for coordination and distribution of donated food and supplies
to disaster relief agencies;
- Federation Employment and Guidance Services
for employment assistance and services to victims.
Initial grants of $3.8 million to 13 other
social service agencies were announced in early October. A
total of $8.7 million has been disbursed to date and a third
round of grants will be announced at the end of November.
"The response of our readers, viewers,
listeners, employees and everyone to this fundraising effort
is impressive and heartening," said John Madigan, Tribune
Company's chairman and chief executive officer. "Their
generosity is assisting dozens of social service agencies
that are helping the victims of this disaster and their families."
Tribune's 11 newspapers, 23 television stations,
and four radio stations spearheaded the fundraising effort
by sponsoring local collection efforts on behalf of the Disaster
Relief Fund. Appeals for contributions to the fund began just
days after the attack.
"Our employees have worked hard to cover
the tragedy and America's ensuing war on terrorism,"
said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune Company's president and chief
operating officer. "Through their efforts, stories of
heroism and bravery associated with the attacks and their
aftermath have been told widely and Americans have responded
by opening their hearts and contributing generously to the
fund."
"The Foundation is absorbing all administrative
costs of the campaign," said Madigan, who also serves
as chairman of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. "This
means that 100% of every donation will be used on behalf of
the victims and their families."
A list of all the grants awarded is posted
on the McCormick Tribune Foundation website at www.rrmtf.org,
and on the Tribune Company website at www.tribune.com.
:: :: ::
The McCormick Tribune Foundation is a
private foundation that supports nonprofit agencies nationwide
through a philanthropic partnership with broadcast and print
media organizations as well as professional sports teams.
As an incentive for the general public to contribute donations
to address their communities' needs, the Foundation matches
donations at a significant percentage, thereby increasing
the net benefit to the agencies in those communities.
The foundation was established in 1955
upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime
editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, who directed
that his estate be dedicated to promoting a democratic society
and its equality of life. Employing philanthropic means, the
foundation's goals include improving the social and economic
environment; encouraging a free and responsible discussion
of issues affecting the nation; enhancing the effectiveness
of American education; and stimulating responsible citizenship.
|
