Tony Bates Joins Tipping Point Community Board of Directors

SAN FRANCISCO, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tipping Point Community, the Bay Area's leading poverty-fighting organization, today announced that Tony Bates, President of the Skype Division at Microsoft, joined its board of directors. Bates is the seventeenth member of the nonprofit board, unique in its commitment to underwriting the organization's entire operating budget so that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to the most effective education, employment, housing and wellness programs in the region.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tony to the board," said Tipping Point CEO + Founder, Daniel Lurie. "As an incredible leader in the tech community and someone whose work has reached people all over the world, Tony is exactly the type of person we need to strengthen our support of the 1.3 million people in the Bay Area unable to meet their basic needs. We are humbled by his drive to create change here in his own community."

"Community and connection are critical to me and Tipping Point exemplifies those attributes," said Tony Bates. "By creating access to information, removing barriers to funding and bringing resources to those who need it most, Tipping Point accelerates healing in our community," added Bates.

Bates oversees direction and strategy for the Skype Division at Microsoft, spearheading its mission to become a global communications provider that reaches billions of users. He has more than 20 years' experience in the Internet and telecommunications industries. Before joining Skype, Bates was senior vice president and general manager of Cisco's Enterprise, Commercial and Small Business Group, and prior to that he directed the backbone-engineering strategy for Internet MCI. Bates holds nine patents and has published 12 requests for comments with the Internet Engineering Task Force. He has served on the boards of YouTube and LOVEFiLM.

Visit www.tippingpoint.org to learn more and to get involved.

About Tipping Point Community:

Tipping Point screens nonprofits rigorously to find the most effective groups connecting low-income people to the services and opportunities needed to break the cycle of poverty and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Tipping Point's board underwrites all operating and fundraising expenses so that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to the fight against poverty.  Beyond dollars, Tipping Point provides its grantees with the communications, technical and management support they need to grow and increase their impact.

SOURCE Tipping Point Community