Comcast : NBCUniversal Announces New Nonprofit Partnerships Focused on the Arts, Media and Creativity

In conjunction with Comcast NBCUnites, NBCUniversal's volunteering and social impact initiative, these new investments focus on three key areas: empowering the next generation of storytellers, building stronger communities and promoting media and technology skills.

'As one of the world's largest media and entertainment companies, NBCUniversal has a responsibility to give back to our communities and help level the playing field so that underrepresented groups are afforded the access and skills needed to break into this industry and have opportunity for success,' said Hilary Smith, EVP of NBCUniversal Corporate Communications and Social Impact. 'We are excited to partner with these nonprofits who share our commitment to promoting equity in the arts and media, as well as our goal to effect real, sustainable change.'

A selection of the new nonprofit partners includes:

Inner-City Arts : Currently a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that provides underserved youth access to arts education, Inner-City Arts will partner with NBCU on its first-ever significant expansion of their media arts program in New York City with a focus on diverse, low-income teens.

Urban Arts Partnership: NBCU will support the expansion of UAP's School of Interactive Arts, a program where middle and high school students from low-income communities tell engaging stories while learning to code their own video games, complete with original music, illustrations, and media. Support from NBCU will ensure that more Black and brown students are prepared to succeed in STE(A)M college programs and ultimately careers in media and tech.

Youth Design Center: YDC focuses on lowering the barrier to entry in STEAM professions in East Brooklyn. NBCU will support their Creative Apprenticeship Program, which trains 16- to 24-year-olds in foundational art, media and tech skills.Narrative 4< /a>: A global organization that focuses on engaging diverse groups of students and adults through the power of story, NBCU will support their Story Exchange program to help change the way employees see other people, conflicts and communities.Year Up : NBCU will fund Year Up's proven approach to job training, where young people spend six months gaining in-demand technical and professional skills before participating in a six-month internship at a top company, empowering them to launch meaningful careers in high-growth industries.

We are excited to partner with these nonprofits who share our commitment to promoting equity in the arts and media, as well as our goal to effect real, sustainable change.

'Inner-City Arts believes every young person has the right to arts education and creative expression. As we envision ways to continue developing programs that support youth in growing the skills needed to be successful in creative industries and enhancing soft skills utilized in everyday life, our partner's support at NBCUniversal is essential,' said Collette Williams Alleyne, Chief Education Officer of Inner-City Arts. 'The depth of knowledge they provide in Media Arts and writing for film and television will contribute to our program offerings. Expanding our reach to partnerships on the east coast will allow all participants access to relevant content and a global experience to inform future possibilities.'

These new partnerships build upon the existing work Comcast NBCUnites has invested in over the last few years with nonprofit partners, including: Girls Write Now, Ghetto Film School, Minds Matter, The Prince's Trust, Robin Hood,Step Up, Story Pirates, United Way of Miami-Dade andYoung Storytellers.

In addition, this week the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations (NBC/Telemundo owned stations) opened submissions for the 'Project Innovation' competitive grant challenge, which will award a total of $3.475 million in grants, up from $2.475 million, as part of its ongoing commitment to fund local organizations advancing equity.