Microsoft Philanthropies
/OVERVIEW: Microsoft Philanthropies funding interests are broad and it makes grants to a wide range of issues. It supports science education primarily centered on computer sciences, but it also broadly funds STEM programs and projects. Microsoft supports economic opportunity and empowerment programs around the world, with a special focus on Washington State. The company’s global development grantmaking centers on access to technology in the fields of finance, healthcare, payment systems, education, and agriculture. Microsoft Philanthropies makes grants to help refugee and displaced populations rebuild their lives. Microsoft has made significant grants around the world to assist with relief and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
IP TAKE: The foundation is not fully transparent when it comes to its grantmaking process. The best bet is for grantseekers to get in touch with staff members or network with previous grantees. This is not an accessible, so keep this in mind if asking general questions.
PROFILE: Created in 2015, Microsoft Philanthropies is a charitable organization housed within the global computer technology giant. The Microsoft Corporation was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. While Microsoft’s grantmaking pales in comparison to that of the giant Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it does support a wide variety of programs and initiatives across the globe. It works to advance a “future where every person has the skills, knowledge, and opportunity to achieve more.” Microsoft’s wide-ranging philanthropy falls into four loosely-defined focus areas: Inclusive Economic Opportunity, Protect Fundamental Rights, Environmental Sustainability, and Commitment to Earn Trust. However, some of these are subdivided and include targeted funding programs, and others do not make direct grants at all.
Grants for Diseases, Public and Global Health
Microsoft created its AI for Health program to “use artificial intelligence (AI) and data to help improve the health of people and communities worldwide.” Currently, it is focused on supporting organizations and researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, AI for Health was a five-year $40 million dollar program intended to accelerate medical research to advance prevention, diagnoses and treatment of diseases; increase shared understanding of mortality and longevity to protect against global health crises; and reduce health inequity and improve access to care for underserved populations. By all accounts it will return to this mission once the coronavirus pandemic subsides.
In addition to its AI for Health program, Microsoft has ramped up its COVID-19 Grantmaking in other ways. It committed $110 million in response and recovery grants to nonprofits, workers and schools in Washington State. It has also awarded over 150 grants for COVID-19-related projects around the world.
Grants for STEM Education and Economic Opportunity
The foundation’s Skills and Employability giving area works to “help ensure every person can build the skills and access the resources necessary to succeed in a digital economy. This program funds youth and K-12 STEM education, as well as working to create pathways to ‘21st century jobs.’ Grants for Computer Science Education partners with schools and organizations to “provide experiences that spark excitement for future CS opportunities.” Future of Work grants support “training, skills-based hiring, and apprenticeships to help create pathways for workers and scalable solutions that can be replicated globally.”
To be clear, Microsoft Philanthropies is not dialed into computer science to create more computer scientists and software engineers in the world. Rather, the foundation deems this subject matter critical to fundamental computational thinking and problem solving—skills it believes every young person should have. Microsoft also funds work that supports nonprofits and humanitarian causes with technology.
Microsoft does not publicize its grant values. Past grantees include Cascadia Innovation Center, Hour of Code, and LinkedIn Learning.
Grants for Global Development and Housing
Much of Microsoft’s global development grantmaking flows through its Affordable Access Initiative, which looks to “[s]upport, grow, and scale innovative businesses that are developing technologies and business models,” that could potentially help billions of people access the internet. Particular areas of grantmaking interest include finance, payments, healthcare, education, and agriculture. Specific projects it seeks to support include off-grid renewable energy solutions, alternative digital payment systems, and last mile access technology.
The Airband initiative prioritizes broadband access for the world’s rural areas. Specifically, it partners “with equipment makers, internet and energy access providers, and local entrepreneurs to make affordable broadband access a reality for communities around the world.”
Grants for Humanitarian Relief and Refugees
Microsoft’s Humanitarian Action program works to “support first responder organizations through technology donations and financial support during response and recovery efforts.” It also funds efforts to help organizations increase their disaster preparedness and improve their ability to respond to future disasters. Past grantees in this area include American Red Cross, Mercy Corps, NetHope, and Team Rubicon. The Humanitarian Action program also focuses on partnering with “nonprofit organizations to provide digital skills resources and training to help displaced people gain access to economic opportunity—and to help the crisis affected communities they now call home.” Past grantees here include International Rescue Committee, Norwegian Refugee Council, UNHCR, and UNICEF.
Microsoft’s AI for Humanitarian Action program is a five-year $40 million initiative that supports nonprofits and humanitarian organizations that focus on disaster response, refugees and displaced people, human rights, and the needs of women and children. The program has supported 29 projects in nine countries with grants, technology donations, and data science support since 2018.
Grants for Washington
Microsoft makes frequent and significant grants to support various initiatives in its home state of Washington. It “invests in the continued health and vitality of Washington State by advancing community initiatives that aim to make [its] home state a great place to work and live.” Since 2010, Microsoft has donated over $16 million to Washington STEM, an organization the company co-founded and continues to fund which promotes STEM initiatives in the state. It also gave $40 million toward the Global Innovation Exchange, an “academic institute established by the University of Washington and Tsinghua University.” The company granted $10 million to the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. Microsoft has also pledged $500 million in grants and loans to increase access to affordable housing in the Puget Sound region. The company has also heavily supported residents of the state during the COVID-19.
Important Grant Details:
Microsoft Philanthropies’ public profile is pretty low-key and there is very little information regarding its grantmaking preferences.
Microsoft accepts application by invitation only, and will not review unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
