Lincoln Financial Group Announces Grants To Philadelphia Organizations

Lincoln Financial Group Announces Grants To Philadelphia Organizations in Honor of the Company's 100th Anniversary

    Philanthropy Writers/Business Editors

    PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2005--

    The Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Philadelphia Heritage Project, the National Constitution Center and the Mural Arts Program take part in a community-focused collaborative program

    Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC) today announced $340,000 in grants to three area non-profit organizations. The grants, provided by the Lincoln Financial Group Foundation, are part of the company's year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary.
    The three recipient organizations, The Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Philadelphia Heritage Project, and the Mural Arts Program, accepted their respective grants at a press conference hosted by the Philadelphia Art Alliance. "We are delighted to begin our centennial year celebrations by partnering with organizations dedicated to making a difference in the Philadelphia community," said Jon Boscia, CEO, Lincoln Financial Group. "Our approach to local philanthropy reflects our commitment to the communities in which we work and live. The Foundation has a well-established history of making contributions in support of organizations focused on arts and culture, education and human services. We look forward to the exciting programs and activities that will result from today's announcement."
    According to Boscia, Lincoln Financial Group, which originated in 1905 as the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, has also made similar grants to non-profit organizations in other key cities in which it operates including Fort Wayne, Indiana and Hartford, Connecticut. The Lincoln Financial Group Foundation has established a solid record of community support and philanthropy in Philadelphia as well. Since the company's relocation to Philadelphia in 1999, the Foundation has awarded more than $11 million in grants to area nonprofit organizations.
    Priscilla S. Brown, vice president and director of the Lincoln Financial Group Foundation, presented the grants to the three recipient organizations:

--	The Philadelphia Art Alliance (PAA), established in 1926. It provides opportunities for emerging and established Philadelphia artists in all fields by providing exhibition and performance spaces, as well as meeting areas, for the exchange of ideas. PAA is celebrating its own 90th anniversary in 2005. A $40,000 grant will sponsor three exhibits throughout the year; Celebrating Rittenhouse Square (February 3 - May 6), Memorabilia (June 2 - August 22), and Suburban Rittenhouse (September 16 - January 9).
--	Philadelphia Heritage Project (PHP), which was founded with the mandate of marketing, promoting and providing programming for Philadelphia's historic district. PHP received a $100,000 grant to create a custom-designed Abraham Lincoln Storytelling Bench, to debut on Memorial Day and be located near the National Constitution Center. The bench will be the scene of storytelling, done by storytellers dressed as historic characters, that is based upon Abraham Lincoln's values of diversity, equality and fairness.
--	The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program (MAP), originated in 1984 as part of a citywide program committed to eradicating graffiti in Philadelphia. MAP later evolved into a nationally recognized initiative focused on the creation of community public art and art education programs for underserved youth. A $200,000 commission for the creation of two large-scale murals on behalf of Lincoln Financial Group will honor Abraham Lincoln and his legacy, while engaging hundreds of Philadelphia middle school students in the process. The location for the first mural is close to the company's center city offices.

    Representatives from the National Constitution Center, and the Philadelphia School District also attended the press conference. The Constitution Center is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the Constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance. In 2004, The Constitution Center announced a grant of $1 million from Lincoln Financial Group that will support the development of the Center's inaugural changing exhibit, Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War, which will open at the Center in June 10, 2005 through November 4, 2005. Creation of the traveling exhibit was supported by the Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Constitution Center and the Philadelphia School District will partner with the Mural Arts Program for the creation of the Lincoln Legacy murals. That collaboration includes four city-wide town hall meetings at The Constitution Center that provide all Philadelphia residents with a chance to participate in public discussions about the murals, Abraham Lincoln and his values, and themes from the new traveling exhibit. Students from five center city schools will also participate in mural design and creation, and in a special three-month extracurricular residency program conducted jointly by the Mural Arts Program and The Constitution Center.
    Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Group had consolidated assets of $110 billion as of Sept. 30, 2004, and had annual consolidated revenues of $5.3 billion in 2003. Through its wealth accumulation and protection businesses, the company provides annuities, life insurance, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, 529 college savings plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, institutional investment and financial planning and advisory services.

Addendum

Philadelphia Art Alliance 251 South 18th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

Philadelphia Heritage Project 123 Chestnut St., Suite 401 Philadelphia, PA 19106

Philadelphia Mural Arts Program 1729 Mount Vernon Street Philadelphia, PA 19130

National Constitution Center 525 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

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CONTACT: Lincoln Financial Group, Philadelphia Media inquiries: Thomas Johnson Second Vice President, Media Relations 215-448-1454 mediarelations@lfg.com

KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: INSURANCE BANKING MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Lincoln Financial Group

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