IRVING, Texas - Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has contributed $2 million to schools in 45 states and the District of Columbia through ExxonMobil's Educational Alliance program. Four thousand grants in the amount of $500 each were awarded to a school nominated by a local Exxon- or Mobil-branded service station.

"Business-education partnership programs are now in 69% of all school districts in America," explained Dan Merenda, president of the National Association of Partners in Education. "Research shows that programs like Educational Alliance are making a difference in U.S. schools."

The use of a $500 Educational Alliance grant is designed to be flexible and is left to the discretion of the school officials. The needs of a rural area school may be very different than the needs of an inner city or suburban school.

In 2002, schools requested Educational Alliance grants for a wide variety of equipment and programs. Equipment for computers, science and marine laboratories, sports, music classes and environmental studies were funded with grants. Grant money was also used for programs including art, theater performances, reading, language and incentive programs.

Special projects that stretch beyond academics came to fruition by using Educational Alliance grants. Schools used the funds for clothing and food for students, emergency crisis kits, leadership and teacher training, tutoring and transportation.

"Educational Alliance is one of our most popular programs among our service station owners and operators," said Jim Carter, U. S. Regional Director, ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company. "They understand the importance of being an active community member."

Educational Alliance is one of many educational programs that ExxonMobil supports around the world. Numerous grants, scholarships, employee volunteers and matching gift programs help to improve the quality of education from kindergarten through college.

ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil is a global company with approximately 86,000 employees and a presence in close to 200 countries and territories. We have an industry-leading inventory of discovered oil and gas resources and an impressive portfolio of growth opportunities. We are the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products and the leading manufacturer of lubricating oil basestocks. Our chemical company ranks among the world's largest petrochemical enterprises. Our organization structure is built on a concept of global businesses and is designed to allow ExxonMobil to compete most effectively in the ever-changing and challenging worldwide energy industry.

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