The Dollar General Literacy Foundation Awards More Than $3 Million in Grants to 700 Schools and Organizations

August 24, 2011

Grants to help strengthen literacy programs for young people

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (BUSINESS WIRE), August 24, 2011 - To kick-off the 2011 back-to-school season, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $3 million in grants to 700 schools and nonprofit organizations throughout Dollar General’s (NYSE:DG) 35-state market area. The grants will be used by each organization to enhance literacy and education services and opportunities for students.

“Education is the key building block to a bright future, and we believe every child deserves a quality education and the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “No child’s education should be limited by a lack of resources, which is why the Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports schools and nonprofit organizations that strengthen literacy skills and educate youth.”

Grants were awarded to 352 schools for program support, equipment, materials or software for their library or literacy program. Additionally, grants were awarded to 345 schools, public libraries and nonprofit organizations to implement or expand literacy programs.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $9.5 million in grants to more than 1,200 schools and nonprofit organizations in 2011. Since its inception, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $61.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 3.7 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency.

Dollar General has been a longtime supporter of literacy and education. The company founded the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in 1993 to improve the functional literacy of adults, families and youth by providing grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to the advancement of literacy. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and available grants, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

About Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 70 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With more than 9,600 stores in 35 states, Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills, Nabisco, Hanes, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.