Comcast Foundation Donates $2 Million in Airtime to First Nations Development Institute

LONGMONT, Colorado (March 26, 2014) – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations [ http://www.firstnations.org ]) today announced that the Comcast Foundation [ http://corporate.comcast.com/our-values/community-investment ] has donated $2 million in airtime on Comcast's Xfinity cable TV system to run First Nations' public service announcements (PSAs [ http://www.firstnations.org/psa/psa.html ]) during June and July 2014.

This is the second year that the Comcast Foundation has made a significant contribution of broadcast time for First Nations' 30-second television spots. During 2013, the foundation and Comcast Corporation donated more than $1.5 million in airtime, which resulted in the airing of First Nations' announcements more than 113,000 times in 13 market areas around the United States. The Comcast Foundation also donated $20,000 in cash for production of the two TV spots. For 2014, the First Nations spots will run in 30 market areas from coast to coast. The spots can be seen online here: http://www.firstnations.org/psa/psa.html [ http://www.firstnations.org/psa/psa.html ].

"This generous gift of airtime will go a very long way toward building awareness of the critical economic development and asset-building needs of struggling Native American communities, and how First Nations plays a key behind-the-scenes role in that," said First Nations President Michael E. Roberts. "We are deeply grateful to Comcast for continuing its significant support of our efforts."

Bill Black, vice president and executive director of the Comcast Foundation, said, "We are excited to partner with First Nations on this important initiative for a second year. At Comcast, we are committed to leveling the playing field so that everyone, regardless of income, has an opportunity to improve their life."

The grant is in recognition of Comcast's commitment to the communities where its customers and employees live and work. Since its founding in 1999, the Comcast Foundation has distributed more than $140 million in cash support of programs implemented locally in Comcast communities. First Nations is headquartered in Longmont, Colo., near Denver, and it serves Native American communities throughout the United States.

About the Comcast Foundation

The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified nonprofit organizations. The foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The foundation has three community investment priorities-promoting community service, expanding digital literacy, and building tomorrow's leaders. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $140 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More information about the foundation and its programs is available at http://www.comcast.com/community [ http://www.comcast.com/community ].

About First Nations Development Institute

For 34 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage, or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities. First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information about First Nations, visit http://www.firstnations.org [ http://www.firstnations.org ].