The Microsoft Alumni Legacy
"The Microsoft alumni community is a shining example to us all. One need look no further than Bill and Melinda to appreciate the impact alumni are having on our world. What is particularly humbling is that beyond the very important work of the Gates Foundation, over one hundred additional nonprofits, social ventures and family foundations have sprung from the passions of our alumni, generating over $100 million dollars annually in over one hundred countries around the globe. Imagine the collective impact of that community of people. Imagine if we can replicate that spirit …”
Jeff Raikes, Chair
Microsoft Alumni Foundation Board
The Microsoft Alumni Foundation Impact Statement
In 2008 the Microsoft Alumni Foundation conducted an Impact Statement to look at the work alumni are already doing around the world. To simplify and focus this work, we focused on organizations founded, co-founded or led by Microsoft alumni. While we identified over one hundred such organizations, we know there are many more. After identifying these groups, we looked at publicly available IRS 990s online at www.guidestar.org during a three year period (2001-2003) and looked at three things:
- Where are alumni focusing their giving (program areas);
- Where are alumni working (geographical);
- What financial impact are alumni having (how much money are they giving away and where)?
The Results
Alumni have launched over 100 nonprofits (and counting) generating over $100 million dollars a year, impacting over 100 countries around the world, in virtually every program area imaginable.
Next Steps
We are now looking at the next level of engagement—alumni who are leading, volunteering and contributing to nonprofits and social ventures. If you are an alumnus and contribute any of the above to a nonprofit or social venture, please let us know. We need you to identify a) the nonprofit or social venture, b) your volunteer hours, and c) your annual financial support. Please note—this information is kept confidential and shared in aggregate form. Your information will be kept in strictest confidence, however submission of this information (in all or part) is entirely your decision and at your discretion. The intent is to identify the total dollars contributed, what kinds of groups are supported, and the total volunteer hours already being contributed.
Why? Because we believe the impact of alumni on the world is greater than the sum of our parts and can serve as an inspiration to us all. We’d like to hear from you. If you contribute your time, talent or resources to a nonprofit, let us know.
The Microsoft Alumni Foundation Legacy Organizations
The following are the organizations we know of that were founded, co-founded or substantially impacted by a Microsoft Alumnus/ae. Some private family foundations prefer not to be listed, however whenever possible, their impact is tallied into our research.
Defining the impact of the Microsoft alumni community is vital. Help us by adding your name to this - if you’ve been part of a nonprofit start-up, serve on a board, or volunteer your time to a nonprofit in your community - we want to know! Contact us and tell us about it.
10-99 Foundation
Microsoft Alumnus: Scott Oki (Founder, Board of Directors)
The 10-99 Foundation exists to provide assistance to the surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Washington.
ActionStudio
Microsoft Alumnus: Jeff Reifman (Founder)
Now part of Groundspring; Action Studio built a suite of tools that pulled together in one package the ability to maintain web sites, mailing lists, event registration and petition-signing to benefit the not-for-profit sector.
Allen Institute for Brain Science
Microsoft Alumnus: Paul Allen (Founder)
The Allen Institute for Brain Science is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit medical research organization dedicated to performing innovative basic research on the brain and distributing its discoveries to researchers around the world. Through its efforts, the Institute aims to advance a new understanding of brain diseases and disorders.
America's Foundation for Chess
Microsoft Alumnus: Scott Oki (Founder, Board of Directors)
Our mission is to integrate chess as a learning tool in our nations’ 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms, in order to have an enduring positive impact on our students’ critical thinking and social skills and ability to achieve academically.
The American Museum of Radio and Electricity
Microsoft Alumnus: John Jenkins (Founder)
The American Museum of Radio and Electricity preserves and interprets an important scientific and cultural legacy: the historic exploration of electricity and the development of radio into its Golden Age
Angels with Attitude, WA
Microsoft Alumnus: Mark Cliggett (Co-Founder)
The Northwest's only seed and early-stage private equity investment fund committed to sustainability. Its members are active angel investors who want to contribute more than money to growing companies. Angels with Attitude has made investments in the following areas: clean and renewable energy, industrial process efficiency and controls, sustainable agriculture, education, and water and energy conservation technology.
Ashesi University
Microsoft Alumnus: Patrick Awuah (Founder)
Ashesi University is a coeducational, liberal arts institution whose mission is to educate African leaders of exceptional integrity and professional ability. By raising the bar for higher education in Ghana we aim to make a significant contribution towards a renaissance in Africa.
Athena Partners
Microsoft Alumnus: Trish May (Founder)
Athena Partners is a not-for-profit corporation founded by a Seattle-area cancer survivor passionately committed to eliminating women's cancers by advancing research and education. Athena Partners raises funds, in part, through the sale of Athena bottled water.
Babajob.com
Microsoft Alumnus: Sean Blagsvedt (Founder)
The best-known networking sites in the industry connect computer-savvy elites to one another. Babajob, by contrast, connects India’s elites to the poor at their doorsteps, people who need jobs but lack the connections to find them. Job seekers advertise skills; employers advertise jobs and matches are made through social networks.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Puget Sound
Microsoft Alumnus: Tina Podlodowski (CEO)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound partners with actively involved community members to match caring adults with children, both of whom benefit from our one-to-one mentoring programs.
Bright Water School
Microsoft Alumnus: Mark Cliggett (Founder)
Bright Water School was founded in 1998 out of a desire for greater access to Waldorf education in Seattle. Waldorf education is based on a deep understanding of the needs of the growing child and the maturing adolescent.
Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences
Microsoft Alumnus: Charles Simonyi (Founder)
The Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences is a 501(c)(3) private foundation which distributes funds to worthy organizations that demonstrate excellence in the arts, sciences and education. Grant proposals are accepted only after invitation by the foundation.
College Access Now
Microsoft Alumnus: Bruce Jacobsen (Board President)
The College Access Now program is dedicated to helping promising, low-income young people prepare for and earn admission to college. Our mission is to identify high school students who a) are economically disadvantaged; b) among the first-generation in their families to go to college and c) demonstrate potential and motivation to pursue higher education.
Contorer Foundation
Microsoft Alumnus: Aaron Contorer (Founder)
The Contorer Foundation supports cost-effective, results-oriented project that promote a sustainable way of life in America (projects in San Diego and Seattle) and reduce worldwide population growth
Crystal Springs Foundation
Information to come
Densho
Microsoft Alumnus: Scott Oki (Founder)
Densho's mission is to preserve the testimonies of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II before their memories are extinguished. We offer these irreplaceable firsthand accounts, coupled with historical images and teacher resources, to explore principles of democracy and promote equal justice for all
Digital Partners
Microsoft Alumnus: Paul Maritz
Digital Partners helps entrepeneurs build great technology companies. DP brings financial backing, business contacts and entrepreneurial experience to emerging growth companies in the Pacific Northwest.
Dignity Fund
Microsoft Alumnus: Elizabeth Funk
The Dignity Fund was formed to bring needed capital to the microfinance industry to fuel the social empowerment of the poor. The provision of “micro” loans and financial services to the entrepreneurial poor to start income-generating small businesses is one of the most significant anti-poverty tools at work in the world today.
Enterprise Networks
Information to come
Esperanza Hills Project
Information to come
Executive Development Institute
Information to come
Experience Music Project
Information to come
Financial Aid Assistance
Information to come
First Tee of Greater Seattle
Microsoft Alumnus: Scott Oki (Founder)
Our mission is to impact the lives of young people in the greater Seattle area by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.
Four Angels Cafe
Information to Come
French Immersion School of Washington
Information to Come
Friends of the Children - King County
Microsoft Alumnus: Sharon Maghie
Friends of the Children - King County strives to fulfill its mission to help our most vulnerable children living in seriously high-risk environments develop the relationships, goals, skills, and resources necessary to thrive.
Front Seat
Information to come
Fulcrum Foundation
Microsoft Alumnus: Tony Audino (Founder)
Fulcrum ensures that excellent Catholic schools will be available to families long into the future by providing tuition assistance, assistance to schools in need, and initiatives to promote academic excellence.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Microsoft Alumni: Bill and Melinda Gates (Founders)
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we focus on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty.
Grameen Foundation
Microsoft Alumnus: Paul Maritz (Board Chairman)
Grameen Foundation's mission is to enable the poor, especially the poorest, to create a world without poverty. With tiny loans, financial services and technology, we help the poor, mostly women, start self-sustaining businesses to escape poverty.
Habitat Espresso
Information to come
Indicus Public Trust
Information to come
The Indus Entrepreneurs-Seattle
Information to come
Japanese American Chamber of Commerce
Information to come
KindClicks
Information to come
kynamatrix Research Network
Microsoft Alumnus: Alyce N. Hoggan, MDes. (Co-Founder/Executive Director)
A 501(c)(3) scientific research organization dedicated to innovation through collaboration in the applied areas of communication, public safety, energy, and transportation. We are solving problems, improving the nation’s research infrastructure by permanently connecting university labs in 2-way high-definition video, and for disaster victims, designing a practical, scalable, sustainable, fractal-like algorithmic solution to house up to 100,000 people per instance.
Leadership Advancement International
Information to come
Living Legacy Foundation
Information to come
MicroPlace
Information to come
Nanny & Webster
Microsoft Alumnus: Scott Oki
Founded in 1993, Nanny & Webster manufactures high quality baby blankets and donates 100% of its proceeds to children’s charities
National Kidney Foundation of Oregon and Washington
Information to come
Native Planet
Information to come
NPower
Microsoft Alumni: Barbara Dingfield, Peter Bladin, Jane Meseck, Kevin Johnson (Founders)
NPower is a network of locally based nonprofit organizations that provide comprehensive, high-quality and affordable technology assistance to other nonprofit groups nationally. Founded in 1999, NPower currently serves more than 4,000 organizations each year.
Orphans and Widows International
Information to come
Pacific Northwest Ski and Snowboard Association
Information to come
Palomaki Foundation
Information to come
Pangea Giving
Microsoft Alumni: Chris Doerr and Bob Seidensticker
Pangea (formerly known as World Venture Partners) is an association of individuals dedicated to increasing the philanthropic resources flowing to international projects that help people in economically disadvantaged countries lead healthy, productive lives.
Powerful Voices
Microsoft Alumnus: Julie Edsforth
improving the lives of adolescent girls in Seattle through innovative evidence-based programs in public middle schools and in the juvenile justice system. The organization was formed to address issues at their root, by instilling leadership skills, fostering the development of critical thinking, and promoting the individual potential in adolescent girls. Our mission is firmly rooted in our belief that strong girls become strong women.
Preeclampsia Foundation
Microsoft Alumni: Anil Singh-Molares & Anne Garrett Addison (Founders)
The Preeclampsia Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about the sign and symptoms of preeclampsia, a common complication of pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal and infant death in pregnancy globally. The Preeclampsia Foundation was founded after Ms. Addison’s near-death experience in 1996 due to preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. The PF today boasts an online forum community of over 6,600 members worldwide with over 250,000 Posts in 30,000 Topic areas.
PRIME Curriculum
Information to come
Pura Vida Coffee
Information to come
Room to Read
Information to come
Schaar Whelpton Foundation
Information to come
Scoutreach Foundation
Information to come
Seattle Parks Foundation
Information to come
Seattle Police Foundation
Information to come
Seattle Sounders Success Fund
Information to come
Silicon Valley Microfinance Network
Information to come
Social Venture Partners
Microsoft Alumni: Scott Oki, Paul Shoemaker
Social Venture Partners is a network of accomplished individuals who combine financial contributions and professional skills with a passion for philanthropy. Leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we partner with and strengthen promising nonprofits for maximum community impact.
Social Venture Partners International
Information to come
Solidarity Entrepreneurship Network
Information to come
Team Read Foundation
Information to come
Technology Access Foundation
Microsoft Alumnus: Trish Millines Dziko (Co-Founder/Executive Director)
TAF prepares underserved children of color for higher education and professional success by providing a rigorous and relevant K-12 curriculum.
Unitus
Microsoft Alumni: Mike Murray, Ed Bland
Unitus, an international nonprofit organization, works to reduce global poverty by increasing access to life-changing microfinance services. Rather than directly providing microfinance services, Unitus connects the ambitious, visionary social entrepreneurs who lead our partner MFIs with the business expertise, capital investments, and innovative tools and services required to grow faster, dream bigger, and reach farther. Their success in turn provides hope and opportunity for thousands who would otherwise remain stuck in the downward cycle of devastating poverty.
Walla Walla Symphony
Microsoft Alumni: Michael Wenberg ( CEO)
The Walla Walla Symphony begins its 102nd season as the oldest continuously operating symphony west of the Mississippi. For over 20 years, the orchestra has been under the artistic leadership of Music Director and Conductor, Yaacov Bergmann. Composed of musicians from Walla Walla and around the region, the orchestra is recognized for its adventurous programming, school programs, and tradition of performing original compositions.
Washington Life Sciences Discovery Fund
Microsoft Alumni: Chuck Hirsch (Founder)
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund supports innovative research in Washington State to promote life sciences competitiveness, enhance economic vitality, and improve health and health care.
Washington Progress Alliance
Microsoft Alumni: Jabe Blumenthal
The Washington Progress Alliance is an influential group of entrepreneurial thinkers actively invested in social change. We help win measurable results by building strategic partnerships and shared resources and by fusing long-term vision with day-to-day action
Wilburforce Foundation
Information to come
Wissner-Slivka Foundation
Information to come
Young Presidents' Association Social Enterprise Network
Information to come
Youth and Community Foundation of Spencer-Van Etten
Information to come
Full List of Legacy Organizations
10-99 Foundation
Allen Institute for Brain Science
America’s Foundation for Chess
American Museum of Radio & Electricity
ARCADE Magazine
Ashesi University
Athena Partners
Babajob.com
Blue Tarp Foundation
Bright Water School
Center for Women & Democracy
Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts & Sciences
Child's Primary School
College Access Now
Compassionate Action Network
Contorer Foundation
Coto Foundation for the Village of Hope
Densho
Digital Partners
Dignity Fund
Esperanza Hills Project
Executive Development Institute
Experience Music Project
FareStart
Financial Aid Assistance
First Tee of Greater Seattle
Four Angels Café
French Immersion School of Washington
Friends of the Children – King County
Front Seat
Fulcrum Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Grameen Technology Center
Habitat Espresso
Homeless Pet Placement League
IGNITE
Indicus Public Trust
The Indus Entrepreneurs – Seattle
Japanese American Chamber of Commerce
Joy Quest
KindClicks
Kitchens with Mission
kynamatrix Research Network
La Casa de Artes
Lake Washington Int’l Community School
Lake Washington Schools Foundation
Latino Alumni of MIT (LAMIT) Leadership
Advancement International
Living Legacy Foundation
Mercer Island Schools Foundation
MicroPlace
Nanny & Webster
Nat’l Kidney Foundation of Oregon & Washington
Native Planet
NPower
Orphans & Widows International
Pacific Northwest Ski & Snowboard Association
Palomaki Foundation
Pangea Giving
Partners for Our Children
Peoples' Waterfront Coalition
Powerful Voices
Preeclampsia Foundation
PRIME Curriculum
Project Mosquito
Pura Vida Coffee
Raikes Foundation
Rao & Satya Remala Foundation
Redmond Citizen Corps Council
Riverview Athletics and Activities Association
Room to Read
Sambhav Ashray, Delhi, India
Schaar Whelpton Foundation
Scoutreach Foundation
Seattle Parks Foundation
Seattle Police Foundation
Seattle Sounders Success Fund
Seeds of Compassion
Silicon Valley Microfinance Network
Social Venture Partners
Social Venture Partners International
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Solidarity Entrepreneurship Network
Summer Search Seattle
TeamRead Foundation
Technology Access Foundation
TAF Academy
Technology & Information for All
Unitus
Walla Walla Symphony
Washington Life Sciences Discovery Fund
Washington Progress Alliance
Washington State Bicycle Association
Westminster Academy
Wilburforce Foundation
Young Presidents’ Association of Social Enterprise Network
Youth & Community Foundation of Spencer-Van Etten
