Microsoft Employee Giving Program Raised $1 Billion

RMN Digital | October 19, 2012 | Americas, Corporate, Lifestyle, Masses, People, Regions | No Comments

Microsoft Corp. commemorated its 30th Employee Giving Campaign Thursday and announced that U.S. employees raised $1 billion in cash since 1983 for approximately 31,000 U.S.-based nonprofits and community organizations.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the milestone during a special town hall event at the Microsoft Redmond campus, which included Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire.

“Today, I’m thrilled to announce that since our Employee Giving Campaign started in 1983, Microsoft employees have donated a total of $1 billion to more than 31,000 nonprofits,” Ballmer said.

“I’m incredibly proud of our employees, and this is truly a time to celebrate, not just because we’ve raised a record amount of funds, but also because together with our nonprofit partners, we have impacted and improved the lives of hundreds of millions of people.”

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To mark the occasion, Microsoft announced a $25,000 grant to the top four organizations that have received the most funding from Microsoft employees during the span of the campaign: United Way of King County, World Vision International, Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation and the American National Red Cross.

“From its earliest days, Microsoft employees have been involved in their communities and have helped contribute to their vitality and growth,” Gates said. “Thirty years and $1 billion later, that impact can be felt around the world. The company and its employees have much to be proud of at this remarkable milestone and, I know, will continue to make a positive impact in the years ahead.”

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Microsoft employees in the U.S. have volunteered more than 2 million hours of their time to causes they care about since the company began a volunteer match program in 2005.

Since 1983, Microsoft and its employees have provided more than $6.5 billion in cash, services and software to nonprofits around the world through localized, company-sponsored giving and volunteer campaigns. This includes in-kind donations.