The Walter Kaitz Foundation said it awarded more than $1.5 million to fund programs and activities of three cable diversity organizations in 2008: the Emma L. Bowen Foundation, the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT).

The 2008 grants exceed the previous year’s funding by more than $300,000 – or 25 percent.

“These funds will go far to help our partners offer important mentoring, leadership and training programs that expand diversity and assist diverse cable executives with professional development,” said David Porter, executive director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation. “The Kaitz Foundation is grateful for the support of the cable industry in its efforts to promote diversity.  I’m proud that the industry has banded together to embrace diversity objectives.”

The Walter Kaitz Foundation funds provide substantial support for a wide variety of programs administered by the three organizations receiving grants.

Funding for grants is derived largely from the proceeds of the Walter Kaitz Foundation Annual Fundraising Dinner, held during cable’s diversity week in New York City each September. More than 1,300 executives attended the 2007 dinner that collected more than $1.7 million in donations from the purchase of tables, tickets, advertising and other sponsorships.

The 2008 Walter Kaitz Foundation Annual Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17, in New York. Ticket sales for the dinner will begin this summer.

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