Since inception, Microsoft and its employees have been giving back to the community.
Microsoft’s first organized act of philanthropy started with the United Way Giving
Campaign in 1983. Bill Gates started with the United Way because of his long-standing
family history of commitment to the United Way of King County.
MSIDC has embraced this great corporate tradition of Giving since 2000. A very successful
effort within Microsoft is the annual Giving Campaign which has been conducted in India
since 2000. It is a dedicated time to raise awareness and generate contributions for
non-profit organizations. During this month, MSIDC employees are encouraged to contribute
to eligible non-profit organizations. Microsoft matches their contributions up to a total
amount of Rs. 50,000 per employee and distributes the amounts to all recipient organizations.
MSIDC employees have had close to 70 per cent participation in community initiatives,
including the Giving Campaign, in the past two years.
Apart from the annual Giving Campaign, MSIDC employees have participated in various efforts
including the Tsunami reconstruction program. They have organized blood donation camps for
thalassemia patients and maxilla facial corrective surgery camps for kids with cleft palate
problems.
A highlight of the month of Giving Campaign every October –November, is the Community Week.
This initiative enables employees to volunteer their physical time doing good work for
the advancement of others. During the Community Week in November 2008, employees taught
basic computer skills to children from poor schools at the Hyderabad campus, using the
same training facilities that are available to our employees.
In all, MSIDC and employees have donated more than Rs 2.1 crore since the year 2000 to
various charities working in India.