The BellSouth Foundation, the charitable arm of the Atlanta-based communications company, announced plans Monday for a $20 million effort to improve access to online learning.
The campaign will cover the nine Southern states that BellSouth Corp. serves and will help fund state-led virtual learning programs while seeking to expand computer access to children in poor areas.
"We wanted to be sure all kids, not just the privileged, could be part of the virtual learning movement," said foundation President Mary Boehm.
BellSouth currently offers service in Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Florida and Tennessee.
The BellSouth Foundation was created in 1986 and designed to focus on improving education.
In addition to helping bankroll and coordinate state virtual schools - like the one created in Georgia this year - the foundation will target specific low-income neighborhoods.