Chances are that you hear about Microsoft all the time, but you may not know about the company’s philanthropic and charity work, which

• I CAN
• Kids Help Phone
• Computers for School
• reBOOT Canada
• Microsoft Community Affairs
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• Find a charity in your community

I CAN

At I CAN, kids learn how to say, "I know I can" and not "I think I can." Microsoft Canada created I CAN community programs to put technology in the hands of our youth and help them realize their potential. In collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Ability OnLine, Kids Help Phone and other key charitable partners, I CAN reaches out to motivate and support kids in Canadian communities. Microsoft Canada also has a software donation program in place to provide eligible Canadian charities and non-profits with low-cost Microsoft software. Find out more: www.microsoft.ca/ican

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Microsoft supports Kids Help Phone!

All children should have someone they can turn to when they need to talk. Microsoft Canada is proud to be an Official Sponsor of Kids Help Phone!

Kids Help Phone helped Canadian kids in need more than 1.5 million times on the phone and online in 2006. It is the only toll-free, national telephone counselling, referral and Internet service for children and youth.

Are you interested in helping? Get involved with Kids Help Phone

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Computers for Schools

Did you purchase a new computer? Do computer skeletons lurk in your basement? Why not donate your old equipment to Computers for Schools (CFS)? This Canadian program collects, repairs and refurbishes donated surplus computers and distributes them free to schools and libraries throughout Canada. Microsoft Canada has donated more than $30 million in software licences for these donated computers.

If you don't have a computer lying around, consider making a cash donation to help ensure that children have access to the opportunities they deserve. Click here to donate.

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reBOOT Canada

Microsoft Canada does not stop at donating software. The company also donates hardware, the stuff computers are built from! ReBOOT Canada is a non-profit charity that provides computer hardware networking and technical support to charities, non-profit organizations and people with limited access to technology. ReBOOT takes old computers, fixes them up and distributes them to charitable organizations.

One of the coolest things reBOOT offers is a one-day course that teaches students to disassemble a computer and put it back together with a reBOOT technician. The program gives kids hands-on knowledge that will diminish any hesitation of working on a computer. Founded in 1996, reBOOT has already redistributed more than 60,000 pieces of computer equipment across Canada! For more information, visit reBOOT

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Microsoft Community Affairs

Through community-based technology and learning centres, Microsoft Community Affairs, or Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP), has worked since 1983 to aid in the education of underprivileged children and families around the world. Through donations of money and software, Microsoft UP hopes to eliminate technology illiteracy and inspire new generations to take advantage of what the world has to offer. Find out more: www.microsoft.com/mscorp/citizenship/giving/

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Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was created in January 2000 and focuses primarily on global health and education. Grants and donations have already exceeded more than $24 billion! The foundation has touched countless lives. Find out more: www.gatesfoundation.org

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Want to get started in making a difference in your community? Whether you volunteer time or donate money, use the following sites as inspiration:

• Canadian Book of Charities
• Charity Village
• Donors Guide Online

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