Dollar General Literacy Foundation Awards more than $2 Million in Grants to 564 Schools and Organizations Nationwide

August 27, 2012

Youth Literacy Grants will help more than 315,000 students improve reading skills

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (BUSINESS WIRE), August 27, 2012 - The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded Youth Literacy grants totaling more than $2 million to 564 schools and nonprofit organizations throughout its market area. It is estimated that approximately 315,000 youth will be served as a result of these grants.

“We award the grants at the start of the school year so that the funds are in place to have an impact on reading education and support,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “Reading is an essential building block to a bright future. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to award the Youth Literacy grants to help provide schools and nonprofit organizations with resources that support their efforts to strengthen literacy skills and education.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy grants are used to assist with implementing new or expanding existing youth literacy programs, to purchase new technology or equipment to support youth literacy initiatives; or to purchase books, materials or software for youth literary programs.

Since its founding, Dollar General has been committed to supporting literacy and education. To further this support, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation was established in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults and families by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. Dollar General Youth Literacy grants are one component of the foundation’s grant program.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $74 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.4 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency.

For more information about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or for a complete list of grant recipients, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

About Dollar General

Dollar General (NYSE: DG) is a leading discount retailer with 10,000 stores in 40 states. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $74 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.4 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit www.dollargeneral.com.