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Thanks to the generosity of Verizon customers who have participated in the company’s Check Into Literacy program, grants totaling more than $63,000 are now available to nonprofit literacy organizations in Verizon California’s wireline territory.

The Check Into Literacy program allows Verizon’s wireline telephone customers to support literacy programs in their state by checking a box on their monthly phone bills to make a $1 tax-deductible donation to promote literacy programs in their local communities. This year, customers and members of the public will be able to vote for their favorite grant proposals through a new Vote for Literacy text-to-vote campaign.

Ten finalists will be featured on Verizon California’s Facebook page and website. Votes will be cast by sending a text message to the keyword “Check,” with a code assigned to each finalist. The finalist with the most votes will receive a $25,000 grant. Four runners-up will each be awarded grants of $9,700.

“These grants will support the nonprofit organizations running literacy programs in their communities that are the most deserving,” said Gene Eng, Verizon vice president of strategic programs in California. “Verizon’s Check Into Literacy campaign is made possible by the generosity of our customers, and it’s fitting that the public help us identify the programs that deserve funding.”

Eligible public charities in California can get more information about the grants — including application instructions and forms, and contest rules — at www.verizon.com/ca. To qualify for funding, applicants must be a 501(c) 3 public charities providing basic reading skills and computer and Web-based literacy programs to California residents in areas where Verizon provides local wireline telephone service. Grant proposals must be submitted by Sept. 17, 2010, at 5 p.m. PDT. Award finalists will be announced Sept. 24 on Verizon California’s Facebook Page and website. Voting will take place Sept. 28 through Oct. 5. Voting results and award winners will be announced Oct. 7.