PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2005--Sixteen community groups in Arizona were awarded more than $89,000 in grants by the U.S. Bancorp Foundation. Hope Levin, regional president for U.S. Bank in Arizona, announced the artistic and cultural enrichment, education, economic opportunity and human services grants.

"The quality of life in Arizona is greatly enriched because of the work of these community organizations," said Levin. "U.S. Bank in Arizona is doing its part to help fund their valuable programs and services."

U.S. Bancorp is providing grants to the following nonprofit organizations:

• Arizona Council on Economic Education - to provide grant support for its education programs in K-12 schools;



• Arizona Foundation for Women - to support its programs;



• Ballet Arizona - to provide general operating support;



• Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona - to assist with its programs that provide needed support for at-risk teens;



• Habitat for Humanity-Valley of the Sun - to assist with its mission of providing home ownership and economic opportunities to low-income families;



• Habitat for Humanity Tucson - for general operating support of its affordable housing and economic opportunity programs;



• Junior Achievement of Arizona, Inc. - for its education programs, which will help students learn first hand the skills they will need to be successful in the workforce;



• Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County - to help support its education programs;



• National Farm Workers Service Center - to enhance its economic opportunity and affordable housing efforts;



• Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation - to assist with funding its economic opportunity programs;



• Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix - for its home ownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income families;



• New Town Community Development Corporation - to assist with its economic opportunity and affordable housing efforts;



• Self Employment Loan Fund - to support its efforts that encourage growth of small businesses;



• TeachForAmerica - to help with its education programs;



• The Phoenix Symphony - to assist with its artistic and cultural enrichment projects and



• United Way - Valley of the Sun - to support its annual campaign.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB), with assets of $198 billion, is the 6th largest financial holding company in the United States. The company operates 2,377 banking offices and 4,654 ATMs, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. U.S. Bancorp is home of the Five Star Service Guarantee which assures customers of certain key banking benefits and services or customers will be paid for their inconvenience. U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at usbank.com.

CONTACT: U.S. Bancorp
Amy Frantti, 612-303-0733

SOURCE: U.S. Bancorp