Making an impact across Washington State
Microsoft invests in the continued health and vitality of Washington State by advancing community initiatives that aim to make our home state a great place to work and live.
Our commitment and approach
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. That is why we have worked for decades to enhance economic growth, create opportunities for everyone to participate in that growth, and protect and improve the quality of life enjoyed by Washington residents.
Empowering people
![Student in a classroom directs another student’s attention to a computer monitor.](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Preparing people for the future of work
Advances in technology are transforming every industry and reshaping the future of work. Microsoft envisions a future where everyone—from students to adults in the workforce—has the chance to gain the digital skills needed to succeed and access more opportunities.
![Man using a mobile phone sitting at a wheelchair-accessible table](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Promoting inclusion and accessibility
Microsoft believes that people's diverse skills, passions, perspectives, and experiences make our company, initiatives, products, and communities better.
Strengthening our communities
![A group of volunteers lifting a house frame together](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Advancing affordable housing solutions
In 2019, Microsoft launched an affordable housing commitment that currently stands at $750 million, focused on advancing affordable housing solutions in the Puget Sound region through targeted investment of loans and grants.
![Two people in discussion at a table with report papers scattered about](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Enabling nonprofit digital transformation
Recognizing the critical role nonprofits play in our communities, the Microsoft Tech for Social Impact program is committed to ensuring technology helps them achieve greater impact.
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Supporting quality of life for Washington residents
Microsoft also makes donations to nonprofits focused on offering critical health and human services, enriching lives through arts and culture, and increasing civic engagement.
![Two volunteers planting a bush outdoors](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Promoting employee engagement
Microsoft encourages our employees to give their time, money, and skills to the issues they are passionate about―in their own backyard and beyond.
Fostering economic opportunity
Rapid advancement in technology is creating new opportunities in a digital economy. But for many, these opportunities remain out of reach. We are working to ensure that all people can benefit from the opportunities of a changing economy and that our state has a thriving business climate that fosters continued growth, innovation, and opportunity for all.
![Two people reading a tablet connected to weather hardware](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Partnering to build the Cascadia Innovation Corridor
The Cascadia Innovation Corridor links British Columbia, Washington State, and Oregon, to support increased economic opportunity and prosperity beyond what any one of these regions could achieve independently.
![Five people crowded together reading a tablet in a rural community](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Expanding opportunities in rural communities
Microsoft is committed to expanding economic opportunity in rural communities through its Airband Initiative, which will bring broadband connectivity to 2 million people in rural America by 2022.
![View of train tracks in front of downtown Fargo, North Dakota](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Microsoft TechSpark
Microsoft TechSpark aims to foster greater economic opportunity and job creation through investments in the North Central Basin of Washington, including Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties.
Protecting our region and the planet
Microsoft is committed to leveraging technology to solve urgent societal issues, both in Washington state and around the world.
![Native American woman with a desert in the background.](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Raising awareness on missing Indigenous women
A local newspaper is taking advantage of new technology to highlight information about dozens of missing and murdered Indigenous women from the Yakima area. The project has raised awareness, brought the community together and spurred new legislation and a state task force.
![View of the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington](http://approjects.co.za/?big=www.microsoft.com/onerfstatics/marketingsites-wcus-prod/_h/9be151e5/coreui.staticshttps://www.microsoft.com/images/1x1clear.gif)
Building a modern and energy-efficient campus
As part of our ongoing commitment to our employees and the community, we recently announced a significant initiative to modernize our Redmond campus.