Five decades ago, Microsoft embarked on a journey that revolutionized the world of technology, touching every aspect of our lives. From humble beginnings in six buildings and Lake Bill in Redmond, we have expanded to offices in over 190 countries. The collective efforts of hundreds of thousands of individuals have led to the creation of thousands of products that have made us more connected, efficient, and innovative.

Throughout our growth, evolution, and technological advancements, one constant theme has united Microsoft employees and their communities: the Microsoft Give program. This program is an integral part of our identity and reflects our values and commitment to empowering every person and organization on the planet to achieve more.

In 2024, our contributions reached historic milestones, highlighting the mutual benefits of our giving program for both the nonprofits we support and Microsoft, as well as our employees, who consistently express the value they derive from our community connections. We have logged nearly 6 million volunteer hours and $1.3 billion in lifetime donations to Washington nonprofits.

Giving is deeply ingrained in our culture

We are proud to celebrate the generosity of our employees, who passionately donate their time and resources to support nonprofits they care about in the communities where they live and work.

• In 2024, our global employees volunteered 1.2 million hours and raised over $255 million to support 36,000 nonprofits worldwide.
• In the first full year of our Change Agent program, where employees volunteer their time to aid nonprofits in their digital transformation journey, 1,200 employees participated, and demand is growing.
• Our current and former employees have donated over $3 billion since our first Give campaign and provided the equivalent of 1,277 years of volunteering to 36,000 organizations globally.

Investing in our own backyard

This commitment to giving is most evident in Washington, our headquarters state, where many employees are dedicated to making a difference in the Puget Sound region. The numbers demonstrate this devotion!

• In 2024, donations to Washington nonprofits totaled $88 million, and over 460,000 hours of volunteer time were logged – the highest number of volunteer hours we’ve ever provided in the state in a single year.
• We supported 4,900 nonprofits in the state in 2024 – another record.
• Lifetime giving in Washington state alone has surpassed $1.3 billion, and Microsoft employees have logged 6 million volunteer hours.
• The most inspiring statistic? 80% of our Washington state employees participated in our giving program, sharing their time and personal resources.

While these numbers tell a story of impact, it’s the personal stories of our local changemakers and the nonprofits they support that reveal the true narrative.

What really matters

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is also celebrating its 50-year anniversary. From its humble beginnings as a regional cancer center, it has evolved into a world-class biomedical research and clinical care institution. Microsoft and our employees have supported the critical work of Fred Hutch since the 1980s.

Some employees have a deeply personal reason for their commitment to the organization. La Shanda Hurst lost her father to colon cancer at the age of 43. Her support for the Hutch stems from her drive to make a difference. “My overall calling is rooted in my life experience, losing my dad so early, and trying to drive impact.” For her, “I’m focused on supporting causes and making an impact 365 days a year.”

Her emphasis on results is echoed by many employees, who have shared that volunteering allows them to make a tangible difference in their communities and fosters a strong sense of connection and purpose. One employee beautifully articulates the drive for impact: “When my time is over on this planet, what will I say I really did to make an impact?”

Committing to long-term impact

Northwest Harvest, one of the country’s largest independent food banks, collects and distributes food to over 400 partner organizations across Washington state. It is also one of our top ten giving recipients in both dollars and volunteer hours, year after year.

Thomas Reynolds, CEO of Northwest Harvest, highlights the importance of the partnership: “The partnership with Microsoft means that thousands of people take action on food justice issues in Washington State, providing financial support, time, and expertise.”

While scale is crucial, complex issues like hunger and food security also require a long-term commitment to effect meaningful and lasting change. The continuity of our employees’ support provides a solid foundation to help Northwest Harvest reach its goal of cutting hunger in half by 2028 and reducing the number of households struggling with food insecurity.

Investing in a future for everyone in the digital economy

We believe economic growth and opportunity should be accessible to every person, organization, community, and country. Even in a state like Washington, home to influential companies, economic opportunities are not equally available to all.

To address this challenge, our Give program has supported the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) since its inception in 2011. WSOS removes barriers to education and helps historically excluded students pursue high-demand STEM, healthcare, and trade careers in Washington state. As a first-generation college student, Douglas Lepar, Microsoft Director of Operations Program Management, experienced similar challenges faced by WSOS scholars. He shares his expertise and knowledge with scholars through the Skills that Shine mentor program: “I’ve been impressed and humbled by the students who, thanks to this incredible program, have managed to thrive, grow, and engage despite the challenges.”

Looking forward

I am grateful and inspired by the way Microsoft employees give to create a positive and lasting social impact. With significant change and pressure on nonprofits worldwide, they continue to respond to complex situations and crises. Our changemakers remain committed as advocates, allies, funders, and volunteers, giving me hope that we can rise to today’s challenges and ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Tags: Give Campaign