Sorry for being offline for such a while. I’ve been meaning to contribute to the blog for some time, but I've busy on a very special project. It didn’t have anything to do with Excel or charting. In fact, it didn’t have anything to do with software at all. It was about encouraging MacBU employees to exercise one of Microsoft’s most generous employee benefits: charitable matching.

In short, Microsoft will match -- dollar for dollar -- contributions I make to any non-political, non-religious group (technically defined as 501(c)3 organizations). I get the flexibility of donating all at once or electing for payroll deductions over the year. If cash isn’t my thing, Microsoft will also match software or stock donations as well. Best of all, if I volunteer my time, Microsoft will match these hours with cash. It’s an incredible benefit, and one many Microsoft folks take advantage of.

While matching is supported year round, every October Microsoft launches a “Giving Campaign”. Volunteers from around the company step up to organize activities for their groups, and I was one of three lucky people that did so for MacBU. Over the last month, we’ve been busily reaching out to our friends and peers. The great thing about the campaign is that it’s more of a party than anything. Nobody is pressured, nobody is tracked. To put it simply, career advancement isn’t tied to participating in the Giving Campaign.

Some highlights from this year’s campaign:

    
• Over a dozen charities came in and presented to MacBU; causes ranged from the local to the international, from arts to hunger to literacy to assistance dogs
    
• We rolled out our first Battle of the MacBU Rock Bands, a hilarious costumed event pitting rocker wannabes against one another, all for the benefit of charities near and dear to the competing bands
    
• For the tenth year running, our MacBU Bake Sale boosted funds, spirits, and waistlines

 I was moved by the personal touch so many brought to the campaign. I designed window stickers that could be used to advocate for causes that matter to individuals. Toward the end of the campaign, I wandered the halls and looked at all the causes folks had chosen to put up. I was struck by the diversity, and the shared passion my friends and peers have for their community. Truly, it was humbling and inspiring.


In the end, 85% of MacBU employees participated in some way in the Giving Campaign, raising over $433k for causes that matter. Some gave time, some gave money, some baked goods, others rocked out (and some did all of the above and more). We heard stories from great groups and saw countless examples of personal advocacy. Truly, this is a month I will cherish for many years to come.

There was a point in time when I would have seen this through cynical eyes, but there’s no way for me to look at results like this and not be enormously proud of what MacBU has done. This team has done good work. Make that great work (really really great). I’m proud to be in their company.