Microsoft's Tradition of Giving
For nearly 30 years, Microsoft has provided direct grants and matching support to a broad range of nonprofit organizations that address community needs in the Puget Sound region.
With the majority of the company's employees calling this region home, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to advance the work of local nonprofits and to encourage employee investment in the community. Indeed, a substantial part of Microsoft charitable giving is determined by its employees, whose financial and volunteer time contributions to qualifying nonprofit organizations are matched by the company dollar for dollar, up to $12,000 per employee each year.
A network of critical human services providers, a thriving arts and cultural scene, a world-class education system, and engaging civic affairs programming are critical to the continued vitality and attractiveness of the Puget Sound region. To maximize our local impact, Microsoft focuses its grant support in King County, where the majority of our employees reside. Because Microsoft desires a relationship with its direct grant recipients as a committed partner, the majority of the giving is predetermined year to year.
Eligibility for Microsoft Grants in Puget Sound
Organizations with missions and work that align with Microsoft funding areas—human services, arts and culture, civic affairs, work-force development, and K–12 math education—can apply if they also meet the following criteria:
- Demonstration of effective programs and achievement of the organization’s goals
- Leadership, staff, and board diversity that reflect population served
- Stable financial performance
- Diverse funding sources
- Located and operating in King County, Washington, and serving a regional and diverse population
- A public charity with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Ineligible organizations and projects include:
- Individuals
- Private enterprises (for profit)
- Private educational institutions
- Hospitals or medical clinics (Hospitals or medical clinics designated as Community Health Center Programs by the U.S. Department of Health are eligible to apply)
- Private foundations
- Political, religious, or fraternal organizations
- Amateur or professional sports groups, teams, or events
- Conferences or symposia
- Endowments
Sound Community Fund
Sound Community Fund contributions include direct grants of cash and product to King County nonprofit organizations in the program areas listed on this page. Contributions also include Microsoft matching of employee gifts of cash, volunteer time, and product to nonprofit organizations. For many organizations, the direct contributions from Microsoft complement the employee matching contributions they also receive.
In each of the program areas, Microsoft selects a limited number of organizations to receive direct grants. Cash grants are primarily given as capital or general operating, supporting the long-term financial plan of the nonprofit organization. Microsoft rarely awards event sponsorship support.
Human Services
Our local human services focus is on assisting people in need to move toward self sufficiency. Grants support multi-service centers that provide a comprehensive continuum of services to a broad range of individuals in need; food banks and food distribution programs serving the entire region; emergency, transitional, and permanent housing providing a web of supportive services; and job training programs providing supportive case management. Our human services nonprofit partners are eligible for unrestricted operating grants and capital grants. While we do not partner with health-care organizations, many of our nonprofit partners provide access to health care. Examples of current human services partners are Hopelink, Northwest Harvest, Plymouth Housing Group, YMCA, and YWCA.
Learn about the Sound Community Fund Grant application process
Arts and Culture
Our local arts and cultural funding supports visual, literary, and performing arts, as well as cultural organizations such as science and history museums. A significant portion of our arts funding is directed through ArtsFund, a federated giving program for local corporations, foundations, and individuals. Through ArtsFund, Microsoft supports more than 70 arts agencies in King County. Only the ArtsFund sustaining organizations may apply for additional arts sponsorship grants. All ArtsFund beneficiaries may apply for capital grants.
Cultural organizations that do not qualify for ArtsFund support but do meet our guidelines are welcome to apply for unrestricted operating grants or capital grants. Cultural organization recipients include Woodland Park Zoo, Pacific Science Center, the Burke Museum, public radio and television, and the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas.
Learn about the Sound Community Fund Grant application process
Civic
Our civic funding supports organizations and projects that promote civic engagement, voter registration, and public policy education. Providing primarily operating support, these funds support activities such as mock student elections and legislatures; voter registration programs; history, trade, business, and public policy education; and civic leadership development. Particular focus is given to organizations that are using technology to promote these purposes. Examples of Microsoft nonprofit partners include the World Affairs Council Global Classroom Program, 4-H Know Your Government, Business Week, Youth and Government, and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA).
Learn about the Sound Community Fund Grant application process
Microsoft Unlimited Potential Community Technology Skills Program
Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a long-term commitment by the company to use technology, training, and partnerships to transform education, foster local innovation, and enable jobs and opportunities to sustain a continuous cycle of social and economic growth for the estimated 5 billion people who are not yet realizing the benefits of technology. The Microsoft Unlimited Potential Community Technology Skills Program is a global effort that promotes work-force development and IT skills training programs in underserved communities. Microsoft provides cash grants, software, and a specialized curriculum to nonprofit community technology centers around the world.
Microsoft believes that by supporting training and by creating innovative tools for people who are underserved by technology, we can partner to create social and economic opportunities that can change people's lives and transform communities. The Community Technology Skills Program provides support for technology skills training ranging from basic computer literacy skills to the use of advanced business productivity applications through donations of cash, software, curriculum, and technical expertise. These contributions are intended to enable individuals to learn about technology and to gain the skills they need for employment in today's work force. Technology-enabled learning (using technology to teach a general or academic curriculum) is not supported through this program. Microsoft focuses its investments on nonprofit community technology centers where IT skills training is a primary focus, where community members can share the learning experience, and that are open and accessible to the public. Unlimited Potential grant funding decisions are made in the fall of each year.
Learn more about the Unlimited Potential program and the application process outside of Washington State
K–12 Math Education Programs
The Microsoft Math Partnership is the company's commitment to help improve middle school student academic performance and participation in math. Investment areas include educator professional development, student support programs, and public awareness.
Learn about the Sound Community Fund Grant application process
Sound Community Fund Grant Applications Open Process: June 1, 2007, through October 31
If your organization meets the eligibility and program guidelines for general operating, capital, or product support, you are welcome to submit a letter of inquiry (LOI) by e-mail to upinfo@microsoft.com (please use Sound Community Fund LOI in the subject line). Letters of inquiry are accepted for review from June 1 to October 31. You will receive a response within 30 days inviting you to submit a full proposal or notifying you that we are not able to consider a full proposal. A request for a full proposal does not guarantee funding.
Letters of inquiry should not exceed two pages and should contain the following information:
- An overview of the organization and the community served.
- A description of the project, including how it will help you meet community needs, plus a brief project timeline.
- A total project budget and the amount of request.
- A list of board members, including their affiliations.
- Documentation of IRS tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status.
Decision Notification
Organizations are notified of a funding decision within six weeks after Microsoft receives a completed proposal. The Microsoft grants committee will review the grant, and you will be contacted if additional information is needed. Microsoft may also request a site visit or a meeting during the review period.
Technology-Specific Resources
Microsoft also has several resources to assist nonprofit organizations in addressing their technology needs. The Microsoft nonprofit partner TechSoup (http://www.techsoup.org) donates Microsoft products to eligible organizations. TechSoup also offers practical technology tips and tools specific to the needs of nonprofits.
If a nonprofit organization does not meet the eligibility guidelines from Microsoft or TechSoup, or it needs to request additional software, Microsoft offers the Open License Charity program. Open License Charity allows nonprofit organizations to purchase Microsoft software and licenses at a substantially reduced cost.
Learn more about Microsoft Open License Charity
NPower (http://www.npowerseattle.org/) is also an important tool to the nonprofit community. The NPower mission is to help other nonprofits use technology to better serve their communities. From building databases and Web sites to teaching classes like Word, PhotoShop, and Computer Networking Basics, NPower is committed to putting technology know-how into the hands of nonprofits.
Microsoft Employee Engagement
Microsoft supports and encourages employee involvement in all Community Affairs programs and offers many opportunities for employees to make a positive impact in their communities. To help Microsoft employees connect to their local communities, find volunteer opportunities, and register volunteer hours for a cash match, Microsoft created Microsoft Volunteer Connection, a volunteer matching system available to and accessible by all worldwide Microsoft employees.
Learn more about posting volunteer opportunities on the Microsoft Volunteer Connection System
Contact Us
Community Affairs—Puget Sound Programs
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
Phone: (425) 706-8185
E-Mail: upinfo@microsoft.com
(Use Puget Sound in the subject line)
Top of page
