ExxonMobil announced that more than $642,000 has been donated to 33 colleges and universities in North Carolina through the ExxonMobil Foundation's 2005 Educational Matching Gift Program. ExxonMobil employees, retirees, surviving spouses and directors contributed more than $167,000 to North Carolina institutions of higher education in 2005, which was matched by the ExxonMobil Foundation with $475,000 in unrestricted educational grants.

Initiated in 1962, the ExxonMobil Foundation's Educational Matching Gift Program matches gifts to higher education on a 3-to-1 basis and has provided more than $323 million to higher education in the United States. This year, the program's combined contributions provided 908 colleges and universities across the country with more than $30 million. Individual donations totaled $9 million, and the ExxonMobil Foundation matched that number with an additional $21 million.

"For more than forty years ExxonMobil and its employees have demonstrated their commitment to institutions of higher education through our Matching Gifts Program," said Kenneth P. Cohen, vice president for public affairs, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and chairman, ExxonMobil Foundation. "Each year, the generosity of our employees has enabled hundreds of universities across the nation to enhance their current educational programs to achieve new levels of excellence."

Under the ExxonMobil Foundation's 2005 Educational Matching Gift Program, a donor can give up to $7,500 a year to colleges and universities with which he or she is affiliated and the Foundation matches those gifts on a 3-to-1 basis up to $22,500. The affiliation requirement is waived for gifts to the United Negro College Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the American Indian College Fund.

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation engages in a broad range of philanthropic activities focusing on the communities where Exxon Mobil Corporation has significant operations.

In addition, the Foundation supports research and dissemination on selected topics of national interest to the energy industry. Focus areas include education, health and environment. In 2005, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $133 million in contributions worldwide, with $42 million dedicated to education.