This past week, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella published his Annual Shareholder Letter highlighting our progress and his enthusiasm about the boundless possibility ahead. His letter speaks to both our business and our purpose, and how our mission—to help every person and organization on the planet to achieve more—has never been more urgent or more needed.
At Microsoft, we are passionate about addressing the issues facing our world and giving is an essential part of our culture and purpose.
Learn more about our employees and what inspires them to give.
Staying true to self (iAsia Brown, in her own words)
“I’m always finding more ways to give. I volunteer with a women’s shelter for domestic abuse survivors, a program that teaches young people to code, a women in tech networking organization, and so many more. As much as I pour into organizations, they pour just as much back into me.
“I love that I can turn what I love to do—like teaching painting to kids online—into a way of helping that’s uniquely me. Giving money is great, but it’s not the only way to make an impact.
“Volunteering allows you to notice how everything in the world is connected, and you never know how life is going to play out. Taking an hour to mentor someone could give them the confidence to start a new career. Reading aloud to kids could change the entire trajectory of their education.
“I think that Microsoft’s mission is like volunteering: It’s not about being the best or competing against others; it’s about empowering others to do more, whatever that means to them. One of the most rewarding parts of volunteering is seeing how people grow, stretch beyond what they thought were their limits, and then reach back and help more people who come behind them. That inspires me every day.”
Driven by gratitude, a heart to give (Bernard Smith, in his own words)
“When I first interviewed for my job, I was blown away by Microsoft’s commitment to giving and how the company encourages employees to work on causes we’re passionate about. Giving is ingrained in our culture and how we live our mission to empower others to achieve.
“I mentor boys involved in the juvenile justice system, raise money so underfunded schools can teach STEM in a hands-on way, train young Black men in entrepreneurship and tech, and run a seminar class that helps underrepresented folks get jobs in technology. I also helped found an esports program at JCSU, which has a gaming lab, academic minor, and gaming club.
“I still have so much to do, so much to give, but I also feel like my life has come full circle. I’m a part of making sure others have opportunities I didn’t have growing up. I’m showing people they don’t have to make the same mistakes. We’re changing the narrative.
“Yes, at Microsoft we make cool tech. But the company is truly fueled by people who have the heart to give. We’re doers, we’re people who inspire others. Together, we’re making lasting impact.”
Inspiring others to give (Jenn Panattoni’s story)
Fortunately, the pandemic didn’t get in the way of our commitment to give. In fact, the pandemic inspired many people—including Jenn Panattoni—to volunteer.
Jenn Panattoni lost her grandmother to COVID-19 last year and said goodbye via smartphone, since she couldn’t visit in person. Volunteering at the mass vaccination site at Lumen Field in Seattle was an opportunity to help prevent the kind of loss her family experienced. The legions of Microsoft employees who pitched in during vaccination events reminded her that “there’s so much good we can do, and it can’t all be done by one person.”
Panattoni emphasizes that there are endless ways to leave your mark, both face-to-face and digitally. “When you make a difference in your own way, you make social impact authentically—and empower others to do it, too.”
Our Employee Giving Program has been evolving since it began in 1983 and is a vital and valued benefit of working at Microsoft. In 2020, US employees donated more than $225 million (inclusive of company match) and volunteered more than 586,000 hours (amounting to 65 years).
Microsoft’s culture of giving thrives because of employees like iAsia, Bernard, and Jenn. It’s colleagues like them that make me incredibly humble and so proud to be a part of the Microsoft community.
