2.22.2000 ET

(CSRwire) Capital One today pledged to support Tampa youth by launching the Capital One Leadership Grants program, a partnership with five local youth-serving agencies. The grants are designed to bring local agencies together to identify and implement programs which promote resiliency in youth. In addition to a $400,000 investment, Capital One committed to share technology and volunteer resources, facilitate collaboration, and evaluate and refine agency programs.




The Tampa area agencies receiving Capital One Leadership Grants are: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Francis House, Hillsborough County Center of Excellence and the National Conference for Community and Justice. Selections were based on each agency's mission and objectives, history of service to Tampa's youth, and success in evaluating and improving programs.

"At Capital One, we recognize the true connection between our business, our associates and our community and believe the only way to insure progress is to collaborate with many groups through a meaningful exchange of resources," said Carey Box, Capital One's Tampa Site Director. "By leveraging the unique strengths of our business and the five exceptional agencies we've identified today, the Leadership Grants will help provide children of the Tampa community a better chance to grow in an environment that is safe and that values learning."

All Hillsborough County non-profit agencies were eligible for Capital One Leadership Grants. By September 1999, more than 30 agencies submitted applications, which a panel of Capital One associates evaluated.

The Leadership Grant recipients enthusiastically supported Capital One's new initiative.

"Big Brothers/Big Sisters is extremely appreciative of the grant from Capital One. It will allow us to find volunteers for many of the 300 youth on our waiting list for mentors. Without Capital One, these children would not receive the guidance, friendship and support of an adult mentor," said James E. Goode, CEO/Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc.

"The Capital One Leadership Grant will allow The Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa the opportunity to continue with its mission to raise the economic, educational and social levels of youth in economically depressed areas of Hillsborough County. Through this grant The East Tampa Learning Academy will be able to expand tutorial services to students," said Coleman Bell, Director of Youth and Family.

"Francis House is honored to be among the selected few to receive not only monetary support, but the establishment of a collaborative effort with a prominent organization in our community. It is imperative that we continue to progress in order to provide quality care for children who have the potential to succeed as they strive to overcome tremendous obstacles," said Lori Hromalik, Executive Director.

Dr. Mary Lindsey, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Hillsborough County Center of Excellence added, "It takes a whole village to raise a child and Capital One has taken a lead role in developing leadership skills in the youth of Tampa Bay. Capital One is to be commended for its commitment to establishing collaborations with community agencies. The Center of Excellence is very excited and extremely grateful to Capital One for supporting the Creating Leaders & Empowering Adolescents to be Responsible (CLEAR) project."

H. Roy Kaplan, Ph.D., Executive Director for the National Conference for Community and Justice concurred, "The NCCJ is honored to receive funding for our Partners for Peace Program. This important funding will help us reduce tensions and conflict and promote better relationships among students and teachers in elementary and middle schools."

Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, Capital One Financial Corporation (www.CapitalOne.com) is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank and Capital One, F.S.B., offer consumer lending products. Capital One's subsidiaries collectively had 23.7 million accounts and $20.2 billion in managed loans outstanding as of December 31, 1999, and are among the largest providers of MasterCard and Visa credit cards in the world. Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 500 Index. For the second consecutive year, Fortune magazine named Capital One to its list of the "Best Places to Work in the US."