Every Act of Generosity Counts
Alumni Network nationwide giving event planned with $100K stretch pool — plus matching gifts from alumni
By Becky Monk
Get ready to unleash alumni generosity on Nov. 30.
For nearly 40 years, Microsoft has been empowering employees to change the world beyond software development with its employee giving program.
Now, for the second year, the Microsoft Alumni Network will support a nationwide member-giving campaign.
On Nov. 30 through Dec. 3, the Alumni Network will host Microsoft Alumni GIVE on GivingTuesday. The four-day giving campaign allows Microsoft Alumni Network Premium Members to donate to their favorite nonprofit organizations and see their donations amplified by the Microsoft Alumni Network and, in some cases matched dollar-for-dollar by fellow alumni.
"The Alumni Network is excited to provide a way to amplify members’ donations,” says Anna Kearfott, Microsoft Alumni Network’s philanthropy program manager. “With GivingTuesday around the corner, the Alumni Network wants to be a part of this generosity movement, especially in a moment when nonprofits and communities need more support than ever.”
To that end, all current Microsoft Alumni Network Premium Members throughout the United States who donate to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations as part of the Microsoft Alumni GIVE on GivingTuesday campaign will make an even bigger impact!
The Alumni Network has established a $100,000 stretch pool to amplify members’ charitable gifts during the campaign.
The Alumni Network’s participation in GivingTuesday this year will push our total giving to alumni-supported nonprofits since 2009 to more than $2.1 million.
“Giving back is part of our Microsoft DNA,” says Microsoft Alumni Network Executive Director Ali Spain. “As employees, we enjoyed matching funds to support the ethos of giving. At the Microsoft Alumni Network, we feel it’s important to expand our philanthropy programming to support the giving of our members.”
Perhaps even more exciting is that 10 alumni have stepped forward to match gifts to a nonprofit that they support during the Alumni GIVE on GivingTuesday campaign. We will reveal the names of the alumni, the nonprofit they support and the size of their generous match pools as we get closer to GivingTuesday.
Alumni Network Members who give to those particular nonprofit organizations on the specific day of the match, will see their donations stretched even further. The nonprofit they support will get a 1:1 match from the “matchmaker” alumni for as long as the match pool lasts on top of a percentage of the Alumni Network’s $100,000 stretch pool.
Alumni Matchmakers
Ten Microsoft Alumni Network members have generously provided an additional $52,500 in matching funds four eight specific nonprofit organizations. When Alumni Network Premium Members donate to any of the eight eligible nonprofit organizations in its specific match day, the nonprofit will not only receive a percentage of the $100,000 Alumni Network stretch pool, but a one-for-one match from these matchmakers for as long as the matching fund lasts.
The alumni matchmakers are Marylou Brannan, Jon Browning, T.A. McCann, Sharon Maghie, Kevin Ross, Rob Short, Kameo Perez Simpson, Kathryn Stevenson, Dawn Trudeau and Crystal Wilson.
On November 30, we're kicking off the matches with Marylou's $10,000 match for Canine Companions for Independence and a team effort from Kevin and Rob, who have provided a $15,000 match for those who donate to FIRST Washington.
On December 1, Dawn has provided a $5,000 match for Pacific Science Center and Crystal Wilson has provided a $5,000 match for Room to Read.
Thursday, December 2, brings two more matches. T.A. provides a $2,500 match for Splash International. Sharon Maghie and Kameo Perez Simpson have teamed to provide a $5,000 match for Friends of the Children.
We wrap up the four-day giving campaign on Friday, December 3, with Jon providing a $5,000 match for Global Mentorship Initiative and Kathryn Stevenson offering a $5,000 match for Cush it to the Limit.
You can learn more about each of the individuals, the nonprofits they support and why they're proving here.
How Alumni Network members can participate
To boost your own giving with the $100,000 stretch pool, Alumni Network Premium Members must make their donations as part of the Microsoft Alumni GIVE on GivingTuesday campaign.
Eligible gifts must be scheduled on the Microsoft Alumni GIVE platform between 12:00 a.m. (PST) November 30 and 11:59 p.m. (PST) December 3, 2021.
Remember to identify yourself as a current Microsoft Alumni Network Premium Member by including your Microsoft Alumni Network ID when making a gift. You can find your Alumni ID number on your personal benefits page.
“The Alumni Network is proud to give alongside our members and amplify their impact,” Anna says. "We know that every act of generosity counts and Microsoft alumni are beyond generous.”
For additional questions about the Microsoft Alumni GIVE on GivingTuesday campaign, go here, or email Anna at GIVE@MicrosoftAlumni.com.