Donor Spotlight: Microsoft

Since 1989, Microsoft and its employees have contributed over $6.6 million to ArtsFund, making the company ArtsFund’s single largest donor. Microsoft employees have served in just about every ArtsFund leadership role. Mary Snapp, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Products & Services, is a member and former chair of the ArtsFund Board of Trustees. Jane Broom, Director, Puget Sound Community Affairs, has been a longstanding member of ArtsFund’s Allocations Committee, serving as co-chair in 2014.  Both Jane Broom and Gemma Aronchick served on the 2015 Committee.

This year, we are honored to have nine Microsoft employees participating in our Associates volunteer program and serving as ArtsFund ambassadors: Anne Disabato, Ritsu Itoi, Panos Koutsikos, Jimmy Kwong, Sam Metzer, Will Najar, Kathryn Warren, Bryan Webster and Stephen Wight.We are also grateful to David Jones on the Office Envisioning team, who has donated many hours of time and expertise to assist us with our granting process.

Microsoft’s commitment to local arts organizations goes beyond its strong relationship with ArtsFund.  Total direct contributions exceed $1 million annually, not including company matching gifts, volunteer hours, and software donation, which more than doubles that number. Microsoft employees have served on the boards of many local arts organizations including the 5th Avenue Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Opera, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Symphony and Bellevue Arts Museum. In 2013, Americans for the Arts named Microsoft one of the Top Ten Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America.

Of course, Microsoft’s investment in the arts is just part of the story. Microsoft supports programs and organizations that address the needs of the people and communities throughout Washington State and around the world.

In March the company reported that its employee philanthropy program gave a record $117 million to nonprofits and schools last year, with more than half of those contributions going to Washington State-based organizations. Microsoft also announced the introduction of Tech Talent for Good, where Microsoft employees donate their technical or management expertise to nonprofit organizations.

Microsoft has been and will continue to be one of ArtsFund’s most important partners. Thank you, Microsoft, for all you do to strengthen the community, and for so generously supporting the arts!