Microsoft invests in local programs that benefit people of all ages. In Illinois, our collaborations are organized by our focus areas of Skills for Jobs, Enabling Sustainability, and Empowering Communities.
The following program list contains a sample of the investments Microsoft makes on an annual basis.
Skills for jobs
Microsoft believes everyone should have access to the skills, technology, and opportunity they need to succeed in a changing economy.
Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC) is a member-driven non-profit that strengthens the state’s innovation economy through ecosystem programming and support, data insights, and non-partisan policy and advocacy at a state and national level. The Illinois Science & Technology Institute (ISTI), its 501c3-affiliate, focuses on Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM) education, connecting companies with classrooms to better prepare the next generation of problem solvers.
- Illinois Science and Technology Institute STEM Challenges are real-world projects that create opportunities for high school students to work alongside STEM professionals as mentors. Students and mentors from STEM Challenge industry partners collaborate over the course of six months to explore, create, and build innovative solutions. Additional funding enables two Microsoft-coached ISTC STEM Challenge teams to visit the Microsoft Executive Briefing Center at the AON center in Chicago.
- The Mentor Matching Engine program matches up to 30 Microsoft employees as 1:1 mentors for students at an area high school such as Elk Grove High School and Hoffman Estates High School for the duration of the school year. Students self select as interested in STEM careers.
Empowering communities
Microsoft is committed to strengthening communities and empowering the organizations that help them thrive. Whether affected by a recent emergency or decades of challenges, we use data, technology, and strategic investments to restore and support them for future generations.
Hands of Hope of Illinois is a food network and ministry striving to assist in God’s business of caring for his children. Its main objective is to share the gospel through the giving of food.
- Hands of Hope Food Give-A-Way Support provides the city of Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area with groceries to feed underprivileged families. This funding will support transportation needs including semi truck repairs, refrigeration units, food supplies, labor, and other capital expenses to enable its continued business of feeding the community.