Microsoft 커뮤니티 역량 강화 기금은 데이터 센터 커뮤니티의 조직에 자금을 제공하여 사회적, 환경적, 경제적 개발 혜택을 제공하는 프로젝트를 지원합니다. 기여자와 수상자 간의 협력을 강화하는 혁신적 접근 방식을 통해 Microsoft는 커뮤니티와 협력하여 공동의 커뮤니티 우선 순위를 위해 협력하는 지역 조직의 생태계를 개발하여 장기적이고 체계적이며 전체적인 결과를 달성합니다.

커뮤니티 역량 강화 기금 이니셔티브는 Microsoft와 데이터센터 커뮤니티 간의 파트너십을 강화하기 위한 3단계 프로세스를 포함합니다:

• 이해 관계자를 참여시키세요. 프로젝트 제안서는 매월 초대를 통해서만 접수하며, 지역 Microsoft 팀이 커뮤니티에서 파악한 우선 순위를 가장 잘 수행할 수 있다고 생각하는 지역 및 지역 비영리 단체와 시민 단체의 제안을 받습니다.
• 포트폴리오 검토. 매달, 전사적인 Microsoft 거버넌스 팀이 제안된 프로젝트의 포트폴리오를 검토하고 자금을 승인합니다.
• 파트너십 구축. 프로젝트가 승인되면 지역 데이터센터 커뮤니티 리더는 수상자와 협력하여 지역 파트너의 에코시스템을 구축하여 총체적인 결과를 제공하기 위해 협력합니다.

Over the last year, the Microsoft Datacenter Community Development team awarded funding to the following organizations in Southern Virginia: Solar Research Institute  To ensure that Virginians seize the good, new-economy jobs that the solar industry is poised to create across the Commonwealth, this program prepares the Commonwealth of Virginia and its citizens to realize the benefits of utility-scale solar market growth, including increased employment and community development. SOVA Innovation Hub  The TechSpark manager of Southern Virginia, Jeremy Satterfield, announced his signature project in partnership with Mid-Atlantic Broadband (MBC). MBC will invest over $5 million to build the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, Virginia. Microsoft, through its TechSpark initiative, will use the space to encourage innovation and spur economic opportunities in the region. In addition to offering access to technology, it will use the center as a convening space to take advantage of regional partnerships to offer programming, workshops, and events that encourage entrepreneurism and expand digital skills and career pathways in the area. CEF dollars allocated to this project will outfit the “Microsoft Experience Center” space with technology to give all residents an opportunity to understand how all facets of industry can be affected with the inclusion of technology. The Experience Center will be designed to meet the needs of everyone, ranging from 3 years of age to 103. This project will be the focal point of technology throughout the entire region and used as a catalyst for learning and integration of technology across numerous industry sectors. SOVA Innovation Hub Corporation  This award will contribute to Mecklenburg County Business’ sizable investment to build the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, Virginia. Tri-County Community Action Agency, Tech Access Lab Tri-County Community Action Agency seeks to expand broadband access to residents of Mecklenburg County through educational and workforce programs. The agency will convert space at its Chase City Head Start building to a Tech Access Lab. It will utilize the space for the Girls Who Code program, workforce skills, and tech exploration as well as a space for youth and adults to come use computers for school and/or job search activities. The Lab will have evening and weekend hours to allow access for individuals who may work but are seeking to enhance their employability skills and/or explore opportunities for a career change. Southside Virginia Community College Foundation, Pipeline Pilot, Go Get IT  The award for Southside Virginia Community College will enable technology skills training for high school girls (11th and 12th grade) and will offer instruction that aligns with the industry recognized certification, CompTIA IT fundamentals. Other topics in the classroom training include soft skills, resume, and LinkedIn profile development. The program will be taught onsite at Southside Virginia Community College and each student will earn community college credit for the coursework. The Mecklenburg County Business Education Partnership, Inc. The Mecklenburg County Business Education Partnership will use funding for several projects to help the schools of Mecklenburg County and provide the best education possible to the students in the county. Palmer Springs Volunteer Fire Department, “A Driving Force for a Safer Community We Serve”  The Palmer Springs Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) is in the process of purchasing new extrication fire equipment for the local volunteer fire department. Palmer Springs VFD has always tried to better serve all the community and guests. In recent years there has been a decline in volunteers in the county, and three of the four EMS agencies have given up their extrication equipment and the mission and vision of extrication. That mission and vision has now fallen on the volunteer fire departments. With this new equipment, they will be set up to handle small and larger scale incidents. Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department, personal protective equipment (PPE) The Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) will use funding to purchase four sets of firefighter personal protective equipment, also known as turnout gear. By NFPA regulations, turnout gear can only be in service for ten years before it must be replaced to meet or exceed current safety standards, and 50 percent of the Clarksville VFD’s inventory has reached this deadline. Without this critical equipment, firefighters will not be able to enter any hazardous zone to execute lifesaving rescue operations such as structure fire searches, vehicle extrication, or hazardous material spills. Boydton Volunteer Fire Department, fire department airbags The award will be used to equip Boydton Volunteer Fire Department with lifesaving critical equipment, improving the community by saving lives. GRASP: Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. GRASP fills a specific need in high school by educating students about how to fund post-secondary education and providing hands-on help to follow through with the required applications. This is an involved process made more complicated by an array of deadlines and necessary information. In-school advisors work within high school counseling departments where they are welcomed for their particular expertise in post-secondary financial aid. This funding will support GRASP counselors in three SoVA county schools. MacCallum More—Green Spaces Program MacCallum More’s mission is to be a premier cultural center for Southern Virginia, providing members and visitors with events and displays that are rich in educational, horticultural, historical, and artistic value. Key goals include maintenance of the arboretum and urban forest for the community. Funding will enable the Urban Forest Preservation Program including a new well, GIS inventory, and a tree tagging system. It will also fund a Green Spaces Educational Program and tree expansion program in Chase City. Boydton Better Block pilot Better Block Foundation is a nonprofit that educates, equips, and empowers communities to reshape and reactivate built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. Boydton, Virginia, struggles to attract and retain families due to lack of infrastructure that contributes to community livability and prosperity. The grant funds a pilot program in Boydton to demonstrate that investments in works such as mini-parks, pop-up community gathering spots, bike lanes, and other quick-win solutions can provide communities with needed infrastructure and be a catalyst for longer term investments without needing large complex urban planning processes or significant capital expenditures.