General
Software Donations
Employee Giving Program
Volunteerism
Education
Additional Questions
Q: What does Microsoft fund?
A: At Microsoft we have a strong belief that if you provide people the resources they need, they can accomplish great things. Microsoft makes monetary and in-kind contributions to eligible nonprofit organization around the world to help people and communities realize their potential. Microsoft giving focuses on improving lifelong learning for disadvantaged youth and adults by providing technology-related skills through community-based technology and learning centers to:
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Q: How do I know if my organization is eligible?
A: Microsoft supports a wide range of charitable organizations with their own tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
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Q: Does Microsoft provide support to nonprofit organizations outside the United States?
A: Microsoft funds community affairs programs in more than 67 countries worldwide through its global subsidiary offices.
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Q: How do I apply?
A: Nonprofit organizations are welcome to submit proposals for our giving programs if they meet our general eligibility criteria and giving guidelines. Microsoft also donates software to eligible nonprofit organizations throughout the United States.
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Software Donations
Q: How do I apply for a software donation from Microsoft?
A: Please visit our software donation page. Microsoft works with our nonprofit partner TechSoup to make donations of software to eligible nonprofit organizations. Your organization is eligible to make one donation request every 2 years. There is no membership fee to access TechSoup, but a small administrative fee from TechSoup will apply to each order.
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Q: How can I check the status of my software donation?
A: For questions about the software donation process, including the status of your donation, please contact TechSoup.
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Q: Is my organization eligible to receive a software donation for an auction or fundraiser?
A: Please visit our software donation page for detailed information. Software donations are available to Washington state nonprofits for use in auctions or other fundraising events.
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Employee Giving Program
Q: Does Microsoft have an employee matching gifts program?
A: Yes, Microsoft matches U.S.-based employee cash or software donations to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Microsoft employee donations to eligible organizations are matched up to $12,000 per employee per year.
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Q: How can we get gifts from Microsoft employees matched?
A: Microsoft employees who make donations to eligible nonprofit organizations can request that Microsoft match their gift. This process must be initiated by the employee.
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Q: When should our organization expect to receive the matching donation from Microsoft?
A: If an organization is eligible to receive matching funds from Microsoft, and all paperwork has been completed, matching gift checks are distributed at the end of each quarter—January, April, July, and October. Matching gifts of software are matched on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
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Q: How do we check the status of a matching gift request?
A: Please contact Microsoft's matching gifts administrators at MS@easymatch.com or 800-480-4438. Please inform them that your inquiry is regarding a Microsoft employee donation.
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Q: Which nonprofits are eligible for the matching gifts program?
A: Our programs are designed to honor the diversity of employee giving at Microsoft by supporting a broad spectrum of organizations and institutions. Microsoft will process and match gifts to all US based charitable organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) public charity status, and educational institutions. In addition, public libraries will be considered.
Microsoft does not match gifts to private foundations, charitable gift funds, political organizations, or religious organizations. Microsoft will match gifts to religious organizations when the gift is designated to an ongoing secular community service program sponsored by these organizations and does not propagate a belief in a specific faith. These programs must have a formal mission and separate program budget. The benefits of this gift must not be limited exclusively to the organization's members. Some examples of these types of programs are homelessness projects, food banks, shelters, and literacy programs.
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Q: How can my agency be considered as eligible for matching donations?
A: All agencies that meet the criteria listed above are considered eligible to receive funds through the Microsoft Matching Gifts Program. No further action by the nonprofit is required unless requested by the Microsoft matching gifts administrator.
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Volunteerism
Q: Does Microsoft have an employee volunteer program?
A: Yes, Microsoft employees volunteer countless hours to nonprofits of their choice through the Microsoft Volunteer Program.
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Q: How can I find a volunteer from Microsoft to help my agency?
A: Microsoft encourages its employees to utilize the services of VolunteerMatch to find opportunities in their local communities.
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Education
Scholarships
Q: Does Microsoft award scholarships?
A: Microsoft provides scholarships through the company's Human Resources department.
K-12 Donations
Q: In what ways does Microsoft provide funding for K-12 schools or for organizations that support K-12 education?
A: Microsoft provides significant discounts to K-12 schools for a majority of its products.
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Additional Questions
Q: How can I get a copy of your Annual Report of Giving?
A: To have a copy of the Microsoft Annual Report of Giving mailed to you, call 425-706-8185, or visit the Annual Report of Giving page to view annual reports online.
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Q: Where can I find information about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation?
A: There is extensive information available online about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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