November 2005

The Electronic Document Systems Foundation (EDSF) received a $20,000 grant from the Pitney Bowes Literacy and Education Fund for comprehensive education scholarships targeting diversity. The grant will be used to develop a broad-based talent pool for document industry recruitment. By linking the scholarship recipients and the academic institutions in a joint program and award, EDSF believes that increased accountability will be delivered on the part of both the student and the academic institution. Forty percent of the scholarship awards will be targeted to minorities, subject to appropriate qualifications. EDSF is the non-profit organization dedicated to the document communications industry. Established in April 2005, the Pitney Bowes Literacy and Education Fund was launched to provide funding to support the critical areas reflected in its name.

"This grant from the Pitney Bowes Literacy and Education Fund exemplifies document industry generosity and forethought and supports Pitney Bowes' longstanding dedication to diversity," said Jeanne Mowlds, Executive Director of EDSF. "This investment provides an innovative, comprehensive, supervised program in which new, diverse talent will be targeted and channeled into the document communications industry, with special attention being given to minority students."

"We are very pleased to support EDSF and its encouragement of diversity," said AnnMarie Krihwan, Director, Pitney Bowes Literacy and Education Fund. "The entire document industry will benefit from the inclusion of a greater selection of talented individuals, many of whom would not be able to complete their education without the benefit of this grant."

The scholarship targets quality students who are potential industry members to support the learning process of a diverse body of students. It also assists development of academic programs offered to these students.