Microsoft wins top national awards for volunteering and community impact

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Microsoft was honored with two Summit awards for community impact and volunteer engagement from United Way Worldwide, the country's largest privately funded nonprofit. Microsoft not only reached the $1 billion mark in employee giving and corporate matching funds in 2012, but employees also volunteered 2 million hours since the launch of the company's volunteer matching program.

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"Microsoft is not just a world leader in technology solutions, but also in citizenship, volunteering and creating opportunities for youth," said Brian Gallagher, United Way Worldwide president and CEO. "Microsoft and United Way are working together to help more young people graduate on time with the skills they need to be successful in life." 

In 2012, Microsoft and its employees celebrated a major milestone: $1 billion in employee giving and matching funds to more than 31,000 nonprofit organizations around the world since the giving program began in 1983. United Way is the number one recipient of employee giving and matching funds. Last year, the company donated more than $900 million in cash and software to more than 62,000 nonprofits worldwide. Microsoft also provides a $17/hour match for employee volunteer hours (450,000 hours logged in 2012 with over $7M in matching funds), generating more than $34 million in matching funds to U.S. nonprofits since the program's inception.

Microsoft's citizenship focus is creating opportunities for youth through Microsoft YouthSpark, a company-wide initiative which aims to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries during the next three years by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. Microsoft also supported United Way with an MSN Causes video highlighting United Way and Team NFL's focus on mentoring; a photo book created by the Microsoft Photography Club which has raised more than $200,000 for United Way; plus Microsoft Store promotions to help United Way reach new audiences.

"At Microsoft we really do believe that our strongest asset is our people," said Lori Harnick, General Manager, Citizenship and Public Affairs, Microsoft.  "We are deeply honored to receive two United Way 'Spirit of America' Summit awards which highlight the real impact of our employees in the local communities in which they live and work."

United Way presented awards to Microsoft Corporation, 3M, Comcast Corporation, Bank of America, General Motors, Wells Fargo and The Mosaic Company. The Spirit of America and Summit Awards program is United Way's highest national honor for a corporation, recognizing outstanding United Way Global Corporate Leaders. Join @UnitedWay and congratulate @msftcitizenship, @MSFTnews and @MSFTissues on Twitter.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About United Way
United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org. 

Media Contacts:
United Way
Amanda Ponzar
[email protected]
703-836-7112, x253

Microsoft
Karen Bergin
[email protected]
425-999-6560

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SOURCE United Way Worldwide

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