Microsoft supports TechBridge with more than $62,000 in cash and software

TechBridge, Microsoft executives announce grant during Digital Ball

Atlanta– May 9, 2005 – In an effort to strengthen technology skills needed in today’s workplace, Microsoft has announced a grant to TechBridge, the Atlanta-based affiliate of the NPower Network, worth more than $62,000 in cash and software.  Microsoft Southeast District General Manager Kirsten Kliphouse announced the grant during TechBridge’s fourth annual Digital Ball, held May 7 at the Georgia World Congress Center. 

This contribution to the Atlanta community is part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential (UP) program, the company’s global program focused on promoting digital inclusion and increased access to technology skills training in communities underserved by technology.

“Microsoft’s continued support of TechBridge has been crucial in our efforts to increase technology understanding in the Atlanta community,” said TechBridge Chief Executive Officer Jack McMillan.  “With this latest commitment, we’ll be able to reach even more underserved Atlantans and increase their opportunities for a better standard of living.”

Atlanta NPower affiliate TechBridge was established in 2000 and provides professional, affordable technology consulting services, innovative technology solutions and access to the financial, technical and human resources that nonprofits need to be successful.  TechBridge’s mission is to help other nonprofits better serve the community through the use of technology.

Microsoft’s UP donation of cash, software and curriculum will be used to fund TechBridge’s Technology Mentoring Program, which offers technology training and coaching to address critical offerings not currently offered in TechBridge’s existing programs.  Volunteers from the nonprofit’s Corporate Partner Volunteer Program will train participants in advanced business applications and job skills. 

“Microsoft has long believed that inside each and every person there is great potential – for many, however, economic and cultural issues impede their abilities to harness this power and achieve their goals,” said Microsoft Southeast District General Manager Kirsten Kliphouse.  “That is why we created our Unlimited Potential program, which has provided more than $12.6 million in cash and software to the Atlanta area in 2004. TechBridge works tirelessly to help nonprofits integrate technology so that their clients may realize their full potential.  Giving the resources is the easy part, but working hands-on to help people transform their lives like TechBridge does everyday is where the real magic occurs.  We feel privileged to be a part of these efforts.”

Through Unlimited Potential, Microsoft works closely with local organizations to support community-based centers where information technology skills programs are offered. The UP grants of cash and software will provide these organizations with the tools and funding to help hire and train technology instructors, enabling local citizens to obtain the skills needed to succeed in today’s knowledge-based economy. Microsoft has also developed UP curriculum that emphasizes real-world technology applications in several languages.  This is a key program to bring the benefits of technology and related skills to 250 million people by 2010.

This grant to TechBridge is part of more than $118 million in cash, software and curriculum donated to community technology centers through the Microsoft Unlimited Potential program.  To date, the program supports more than 19,000 community technology centers in 89 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America.  This program, along with the continued development of innovative technologies and partnerships, will help to broaden digital inclusion and to bring the benefits of technology and technology skills training to one quarter of a billion underserved people by 2010.  A complete list of recipients can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/citizenship/overview/uprecipients.asp.

About TechBridge
Established in 2000, TechBridge is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that puts technology know-how in the hands of nonprofits.  Our mission is to help other nonprofits to better serve the community.  TechBridge is the home of NPower Atlanta and an affiliate of the NPower Network.  TechBridge works with area nonprofits to use technology solutions to enhance communications with funders and donors, solve mission-critical initiatives and improve operating efficiencies.  For additional information, please visit our site at www.techbridge.org.  

About Microsoft Community Affairs
Microsoft and its employees have long recognized the importance of being engaged in supporting communities around the world.   Last year the company donated $48 million in cash and $362 million in software to 8,000 nonprofit organizations.  While a majority of the company’s community investments are made in support of Unlimited Potential, a global program that supports community technology centers in IT skills training, the company also makes software available to improve the use of technology by nonprofit organizations.  Microsoft products are available to qualified organizations at http://www.techsoup.org.

More information on Microsoft’s community investments can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/unlimitedpotential/.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.