Microsoft U.S. Employee Volunteer Program

At Microsoft we believe we have the ability – and the responsibility – to make a positive difference in the world.  The same spirit of innovation that drives our business is also at the core of our commitments as a corporate citizen in communities around the world.

As part of our overall commitment to corporate citizenship, Microsoft offers volunteering benefits and tools designed to help you and the communities you support.  In the United States, Microsoft will donate $17 per volunteer hour to the eligible organizations employees volunteer with, as part of Microsoft’s match of employee donations of up to $12,000 per year, per employee.  Outside of the U.S. employees are offered three days of paid time off to volunteer.

Whenever possible, we encourage our employees to focus on utilizing their core business skills and talents they have to make an impact and to engage in strategic, long term volunteer relationships with community organizations. 

The Volunteer Connection System

Through the Volunteer Connection System located on http://give, Microsoft employees based in the U.S. can find volunteer opportunities, suggest volunteer opportunities, register volunteer hours, and request Microsoft’s cash match.  In 2008 alone, more than 3,300 employees recorded over 260,000 hours of volunteer time to thousands of nonprofit organizations and educational institutions across the U.S.

Key Partners and Initiatives

In addition to encouraging employees to support their local communities in the ways that are most important to them, Microsoft has also created volunteer partnerships and programs that employees can choose to participate in:

Microsoft Unlimited Potential

Employees can access the resources and partnerships created by Microsoft to volunteer through Microsoft Unlimited Potential, the company’s long-term commitment to bring relevant, accessible and affordable technology to the next five billion people.

Internet Safety and Security Education

Through a toolkit and other resources created by Microsoft, any employee can volunteer to provide Internet Safety and Security training in their local community.

Skills Based Volunteering

Microsoft works to connect the core business and technology skills of our employees to community needs and citizenship programs & initiatives.  We actively place senior employees on strategic community boards of directors and promote board service among all employees.

Days of Service

Microsoft teams can organize special days of service for employees to volunteer together in support of a local initiative, a Microsoft Citizenship initiative or a team building activity. 

FAQs about Microsoft’s Employee Volunteer Program

Q: How Do I Search for Volunteer Opportunities? 

The Volunteer Connection System lists volunteer opportunities with nonprofit partners and also offers links to existing volunteer databases where organizations can post opportunities.  Click on any “Featured Opportunities” or select “Search for Opportunities” to search by geography, name, keyword, or interest.

Q: How Do I Let Employees Know About a Volunteer Opportunity With an Organization I Work With?

In the Volunteer Connection System, click “Suggest a Volunteer Opportunity” and provide the contact information for the charitable organization you are volunteering with.  They will then receive an email with an invitation code and link where they can submit opportunities directly into our system (if approved).

Q: How Do I Record My Volunteer Hours?  

Access the Volunteer Connection System and click the link that says “Record Volunteer Hours.”  There you can search for your organization to see if it has already been registered and, if so, you can start recording your hours right away. If your organization has not yet been registered, click on “Suggest an Organization” and enter the requested information so that we may first verify the organization’s eligibility. 

Q: What Volunteer Activities Are Eligible?

Microsoft supports a broad range of volunteer activities, provided that they are with an eligible organization, in support of the community, and are uncompensated.  Board service, tutoring, technology assistance, and youth mentoring or coaching are just a few of the types of activities that may be eligible.

Q: What Organizations Are Eligible to Receive Time Match Funds? 

U.S. based 501(c) 3 nonprofit agencies and educational institutions are eligible for our matching programs. Microsoft does not match volunteer hours to private foundations, charitable gift funds, or political organizations.  Microsoft will only match volunteer hours to religious organizations when the time is designated to an ongoing secular community service program which is open to all persons, does not propagate a specific faith, and maintains a separate mission and program budget. 

Q: How Do I Submit a Request for a Time Match?

 Log and track your volunteer hours through the Volunteer Connection System.  When you reach 10 volunteer hours at a single organization and have been at Microsoft for at least six months, you may submit a volunteer matching gift request through a “Request Match” link that will appear.  You may submit a Time Match request anytime within 12 months from the start date of your volunteer activity.

Q: How Long Does It Take for the Organization to Receive Time Match Funds? 

Once a match request is made via the Volunteer Connection System, our fiscal agent verifies your information and contacts the organization to validate your submitted volunteer hours.  Matching gifts are then batched and distributed at the end of each quarter, as per a payout schedule available at http://give.