Every few months, our team shares the diverse stories of non-profit organizations that ignite our local communities through powerful work. Catalyst magazine, now hosted online in addition to our print publication, features leaders, teams, and technologies that make our world a better place.
This month marks the 33rd annual employee giving campaign here at Microsoft. Since 1983, employees have donated more than $1b to non-profit organizations and schools. Every employee has $15,000 per year that s/he can use to match charitable contributions of time, product, and dollars. In the Bay Area, 80% of employees participate in the giving campaign by taking advantage of these matching funds.
This special issue of Catalyst features some of Microsoft’s volunteers, who invest their talent and other resources to further the important missions of local non-profit organizations. We recognize and value the passion and commitment that these employees have for the causes they champion.
A Party, Not a Classroom
One great highlight from this issue of Catalyst centers on a roving hackathon where kids are able to explore technology at their own pace. At Hack the Future, students from 5th to 12th grade are given the opportunity to explore technologies that interest them at a day-long, volunteer-driven, free event. Students can experiment with robotics, soldering and circuitry, video game or web design, 3D printing and scanning, and they can spend as much or as little time as they want on each activity. Since the event is entirely run by volunteers, it’s important to note that each event relies on its 20+ volunteers to keep the content fresh and the logistics running smoothly. More volunteers mean that more technologies can be shared, with more mentors to help. And each volunteer is trained alongside experienced mentors, so volunteers don’t even need to have a tech background to help kids get invested in tech. It’s a party and you’re invited!
Interested in learning more about Hack the Future? Sign up here to volunteer or read the full Catalyst article here.
Read the full Volunteerism Issue of Catalyst at catalyst.microsoftbayarea.com.
