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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
2009 Tech Citizenship honoree: Microsoft Corp.
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MHT's Galen Moore: Charities score with online fundraising
Although it is headquartered on the opposite coast from Massachusetts, in Redmond, Wash., Microsoft Corp. has long had a presence here in the Bay State, and that presence has consistently supported local charities in every way Mass High Tech measures such efforts: Cash donations, employee volunteer hours and in-kind contributions.
“Through Microsoft’s focus on work force development issues, we’ve supported organizations like Year Up and the Timothy Smith Network, both of which are helping people gain necessary technology skills to compete in today’s job market,” said Marty Cassidy, Northeast district general manager.
Along with sending technology and volunteers to places like Dimock Community Center, Microsoft supports larger organizations locally such as the United Way with both cash donations and volunteer support. And sharing the education spotlight with Dimock is Microsoft’s apprenticeship program through Citizen Schools that has employees teaching middle school students. In fact, during Citizen Schools’ May fundraising weekend, Microsoft donated $854,000 worth of software to the organization.
Citizenship facts
Total cash contributions in New England in 2008: $3,361,000
Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2008: 2,678
In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England in 2008: $15,800,000
Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2008: Year Up Boston, YMCA Training Inc, Cambridge Community Foundation, Center for Women and Enterprise, Red Sox Foundation, National First Robotics
Interesting philanthropic activities: Microsoft supports Citizen Schools with apprenticeships in which Microsoft employees teach junior-high students. Microsoft also supports United Way organizations the entire month of October with cash donations and volunteer support. Microsoft raised money for Boys and Girls Club CyberSummit in that month. Microsoft does many toy drives for Franciscan Hospital for Children as well as drives to support the troops.
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