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United Way of Washington County-East and Partner Agencies Receive Millions in Grants From Microsoft
07/29/11
Stillwater, MN: Despite economic downturns and government shutdowns, nonprofits throughout the St. Croix Valley are smiling…big. This week, a software grant from Microsoft Corp., totaling more than $15 million was finalized and awarded to United Way of Washington County-East and 18 partner agencies.
“This collaborative grant is a huge infusion of support for United Way and partners serving Washington County,” said Marna Canterbury, United Way of Washington County-East (UWWCE) Executive Director. “We are so grateful to Microsoft for working with United Way to support essential services in our community through this amazing investment.”
Strength in Numbers
Microsoft invited UWWCE to apply for a software grant to improve efficiencies in their Stillwater office, and then expanded the opportunity to all partner agencies.
Don Leeke, general manager, North Central District, Microsoft Corp., says that “Microsoft remains committed to helping non-profits, including the United Way, realize their full potential, and we hope this grant will help streamline processes and increase the workforce efficiency for the entire local nonprofit network.”
Arba-Della Beck, President of FamilyMeans, shares that “this local United Way and funded agencies in this area have worked together for many years on many different projects. This technology project was the first time we brought together our IT professionals to share ideas and also offer support to smaller agencies who don’t have the luxury of having daily access to an IT professional.”
Local Microsoft professionals have also stepped in as volunteers to support the ongoing effort.
Nonprofits Anticipate Benefits to the Valley
United Way of Washington County-East spearheaded the grant requests ranging from $15,000 to millions of dollars per agency, depending on the needs and number of computers. Recipient agencies express gratitude for the overwhelming response from Microsoft.
Steve Hunt, CFO of Human Services Inc., enthuses that “this is absolutely incredible. This grant will also improve the lives of those of us who serve society by increasing our efficiency while at the same time lowering our frustration levels caused by incompatible and slower, older functioning software.”
Updated software has the ability to help big and small nonprofits do their work better and smarter. According to Beverly Dusso, Tubman’s Executive Director, “this is the sort of software that can make a world of difference for nonprofit organizations, creating new efficiencies and vastly improving the way we operate. Tubman is extremely grateful to have partners like the United Way of Washington County-East and Microsoft that make these moments possible.”
The grant will impact Valley residents seeking services as well.
“Our local United Way works with partner agencies to play a central and critical role in ensuring the well-being of the people who live in the Stillwater area. This huge investment by Microsoft will directly help people in need throughout the St. Croix Valley,” said Ken Harycki, Mayor of Stillwater, MN. According to Courage St. Croix, “in the near future, every Courage Center client, employee and department will benefit from it in the form of improved care, collaboration, productivity, business intelligence and outcomes measurement,” said Peter Polga, Director of Strategy and Planning.
Compounded Results
This grant strengthens the infrastructure of United Way of Washington County-East and its partners. The impact of the Microsoft grant, however, does not stop with just software. In addition, United Way and partner agencies are working together on support and training to ensure that the new software can be utilized effectively.
“With the needs being faced throughout our state and local community, the impact of this gift will reflect in how we serve the people in our community for a very long time. The St. Croix Valley now really is ‘powered by Microsoft’,” said Canterbury.
Microsoft Large Software Grant Recipients serving the St. Croix Valley in Minnesota:
- United Way of Washington County-East, Stillwater
- Tubman
- Courage Center/ Courage Center St. Croix
- FamilyMeans
- Human Services Inc. (HSI)
- Legal Assistance of Washington County
- Youth Service Bureau
- East Metro Women’s Council
- Community Thread
- Lakeview Hospice
- East Suburban Resources
- Portico Healthnet
- St. Croix Family Medical Clinic (Southside Community Health Services)
- Stillwater Family Resource Center (Episcopal Community Services)
- ARC Greater Twin Cities
- Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America
- Girls Scouts of MN and WI River Valleys
- Children’s Home Society and Family Services
- Charities Review Council
