Microsoft employees are all about giving.
In fact, since the company started its Employee Giving Campaign nearly 30 years ago, its workers have raised $1 billion.
“From its earliest days, Microsoft employees have been involved in their communities and have helped contribute to their vitality and growth,” Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said in a press release. “Thirty years and $1 billion later, that impact can be felt around the world. The company and its employees have much to be proud of at this remarkable milestone and, I know, will continue to make a positive impact in the years ahead.”
As part of the campaign, Microsoft donates $17 for every hour an employee volunteers and matches every monetary contribution up to $12,000 per employee.
More than 35,000 employees participate in the campaign, approximately 65 percent of Microsoft’s total U.S. workforce.
Since the program began in 1983, employees have donated more than two million volunteer hours to causes they care about.
Elisa and Greg Graceffo, are two of the many Microsoft employees who whole-heartedly take part in the campaign. The pair became involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation soon after their oldest daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Elisa currently sits on the board of directors of the Northwest Chapter. Each year, the pair raises money for the annual Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes event, a walk-run that attracts more than 10,000 local participants and raises nearly $1.5 million every year.
During the past four years, they have raised more than $60,000 for diabetes research as a result of individual donations, including from Microsoft contributors and the Microsoft matching program.
Microsoft, in celebration of reaching the $1 billion-mark, is giving $25,000 to the top four organizations to receive aid from its employees: United Way of King County, World Vision International, Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation and the American National Red Cross.
Microsoft’s annual Employee Giving Campaign takes place in the U.S. throughout the year, with a “special push” in October. The campaign includes more than 300 activities such as a five-kilometer run and an online auction.
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