Empower Youth to Change Their World
The world stands at a crossroads. While there are more young people on the planet
than ever before, youth unemployment is double that of the adult population. Countries
are struggling to develop modern workforces due to the growing gap between the skills
of unemployed workers and the skills needed to perform the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Today’s young people face an opportunity divide – a gap between those who have the
access, skills and opportunities to be successful and those who do not. Closing
this opportunity divide is one of the most important actions we can all take to
secure the future of our youth and the future of our global economy.
Microsoft YouthSpark is a companywide initiative designed to create opportunities
for hundreds of millions of youth around the world. Through partnerships with governments,
nonprofits and businesses, we aim to empower youth to imagine and realize their
full potential by connecting them with greater education, employment, and entrepreneurship
opportunities. We want to empower youth to change their world.
YouthSpark Grants
The majority of our grants to nonprofits organizations are in the form of software,
which we make broadly available to eligible organizations. Please visit our
software donation page for more information on eligibility and how to apply.
Microsoft provides limited cash grants to eligible organizations whose missions
and activities align to our core programs, including YouthSpark. Application for
cash grants are by invitation only. Unsolicited requests for cash grants are not
accepted. For more information, please see our
Nonprofit FAQs.
Challenge for Change
Have an idea for sparking change in your community? Enter to win amazing prizes
including a life-changing volunteer trip to Kenya this summer, cash, and the latest
technology from Microsoft!
YouthSpark Summer Camps
Microsoft Stores’ 2013 camps - where technology meets creativity for ages 8–13.
Free of charge.
Explore YouthSpark
The YouthSpark Hub is an online space to explore and access all the Microsoft programs
and resources to help youth imagine and realize their full potential.
Imagine Cup
The Imagine Cup is the world’s most prestigious student technology competition,
bringing together student innovators from all over the world. Students are challenged
to apply their knowledge and passion to develop technical solutions for some of
the world’s toughest problems.
Give for Youth
This global micro-giving portal allows you to see, fund and follow the dreams of
young people.
Microsoft DreamSpark
If you can imagine it, you can create it. Students can gain access to Microsoft
Software and Development Tools at no cost.
