Microsoft has just commemorated its 30th annual Employee Giving Campaign by announcing that U.S. employees have to date raised $1 billion in cash since 1983 for approximately 31,000 non-profits and community organizations around the world. 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.
“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 non-profit partners, we have impacted and improved the lives of hundreds of millions of people,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
“From its earliest days, Microsoft employees have been involved in their communities and have helped contribute to their vitality and growth,” added Microsoft Chairman and Founder Bill Gates. “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.”
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.
Each year, Microsoft matches employee volunteer time at $17 per hour and dollar-for-dollar charitable contributions to all eligible non-profits up to $12,000 per employee. When the Microsoft giving program began in 1983, approximately 200 employees raised $17,000 for non-profits. Today, more than 35,000 employees, or approximately 65 % of Microsoft’s total U.S. workforce, participate, and the company predicts its employees will raise more than $100 million in 2012 for global non-profits.
“The impact of all that giving is almost incalculable, and the statistics don’t even begin to tell the whole story,” said Jon Fine, CEO, United Way of King County. “Microsoft has created a culture of generosity that has radiated so far into the community. The standard of giving and volunteering by Microsoft employees has raised the bar and influences so many others here and around the world.”
Microsoft’s annual Employee Giving Campaign is a year-round effort, but there’s a special focus every October on the Redmond campus and in offices around the U.S. It is an opportunity for employees to combine their energy, generosity and creativity to raise money for non-profit organizations and causes locally, nationally and globally. Beyond the direct donation of time and money to non-profits, an army of Microsoft employee volunteers plans and executes the month-long campaign through activities, including a 5K run, an online auction and an “underground” car show.
Locally, Microsoft Malta continued in its efforts in making real impact in the local community by supporting two local NGOs, partaking in voluntary work with Special Olympics Malta and fundraising for Inspire. At the first event, the entire Microsoft Malta team supported Special Olympics Malta by volunteering during the ‘Healthy Athlete Screening’ event held at Cottonera Sports Complex. Healthy Athlete Program includes the screening of all SO athletes in each of the ‘Healthy Athlete’disciplines; Health Promotion, FitFeet, Opening Eyes and Healthy Hearing. Their task was to help with the coordination of the athletes between the screening and Data entries of the screening results.
Anna Calleja, National Director of Special Olympics Malta said "it was a great honour and pleasure having all round support by Microsoft. A good number of volunteers too joined our professionals, athletes and parents during our Healthy athletes screening. Having volunteers giving their time and effort for such a noble cause is priceless. Microsoft showed that everyone counts, this venture and event was a mirror of true solidarity and cohesion between Special Olympics Malta and Microsoft. We are looking for future activities together."
The second event, hosted a few days later saw Microsoft Malta supporting Inspire, The Foundation for Inclusion, by taking part in their fundraising event (co-funded by Microsoft and its employees).
“Both events proved to be humbling and valuable learning experiences for us all at Microsoft Malta and we are very proud to have had this opportunity to make a difference to two NGO’s who are very cherished and respected here in Malta,” said Angela Micallef, Citizenship Manager at Microsoft Malta. “And apart from our team coming in 2nd place and winning a Silver award during Inspire’s knockout event, we enjoyed a memorable experience and an excellent teambuilding experiences as we worked together in a relaxed, fun and stress-free environment outside the office.”
Microsoft total giving by numbers
• Microsoft employees have donated $1 billion, inclusive of the corporate match, since 1983.
• 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 non-profits around the world through localized, company-sponsored giving and volunteer campaigns. This includes in-kind donations.