Whatever you think of Microsoft, they have donated a lot of software to charities and supported a number of charitable organisations and projects providing IT skills to underserved people through community based learning.
Whilst it can be argued that giving away software to organisations (who would not otherwise buy it and does not cost them much extra to produce) is not overly philanthropic, their Unlimited Potential programme also gives grants.
They are currently planning to launch an employability initiative in September 2009. As part of the programme they’re looking to work with organisations who help people get back into employment. If you already do work in this area of employability and have a proven track record they’d like to get an application from you.
In order to be considered for grant support , organisations must:-
- Be a registered charity
- Work with socially excluded people/communities
- Be a significant provider of services helping people into employment
- Have existing employability services/projects in place with existing funding streams
- Be providing IT skills development as part of employability services
They are seeking projects with potential for 3 years support. Grants are available for thirty thousand pounds, sixty thousand pounds and ninety thousand pounds.
As well as grant support, Microsoft will be looking to provide other assistance to recipients. For example, software, learning materials, technical assistance, volunteers. There will be PR opportunities, the potential to work with other Microsoft partners, as well as possibilities to use the Microsoft brand.
Application
To apply fill in this form:
Worse, by giving away their software, they try to keep charity workers dependent on it and reduce the self-sufficiency of the third sector.
These grants are a new spin on that same “get them hooked, keep them hooked” meme – will they actually give any grants for projects providing non-Microsoft-linked IT skills development?
Microsoft’s support for the third sector is almost certainly dwarfed by support from cooperatives, but Microsoft is one dominant company, while there are lots of cooperatives.
By: MJ Ray (software.coop) on 8 September, 2009
at 1:41 am