Microsoft Alumni Foundation and Microsoft Alumni Network Combine and Announce New Membership Benefits and Focus on Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy

Former Gates Foundation CEO Jeff Raikes to Chair New Microsoft Alumni Network Board

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Jun 26, 2014, 09:00 ET

REDMOND, Wash., June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Microsoft Alumni Foundation and the Microsoft Alumni Network announced that both organizations are joining together with one singular mission to foster and build a broad alumni network where former Microsoft employees can connect and network with each other, and receive discounts and other membership privileges. The new Microsoft Alumni Network will continue to celebrate the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit cultivated at Microsoft and continued throughout career changes and retirement. It has also worked with Microsoft Corporation to expand the benefits offered to members, including a subscription to Office 365 Home.

Microsoft Alumni Network benefits (PRNewsFoto/Microsoft Alumni Foundation)

The Microsoft Alumni Network consists of more than 10,000 former Microsoft employees around the world, with large concentrations in the greater Seattle metropolitan area around the technology company's Redmond, Wash. headquarters, as well as in Boston, Mass.; Dallas, Texas; Los Angeles, Calif.; New York City; and San Francisco, Calif; and Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.

Microsoft alumnus Jeff Raikes, the current chairman of the board for the Microsoft Alumni Foundation, co-founder of the Raikes Foundation and former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will lead the new Microsoft Alumni Network as chairman of the newly merged board.

"Over the last several years I have seen firsthand how many alumni have the passion and desire to give back and make a contribution to bettering our world," said Raikes. "Many alumni – whether in business, social entrepreneurialism, philanthropy and many other areas – have gone on to do incredible things since Microsoft. Now with the Microsoft Alumni Network, I am excited to provide leadership for this new combined effort."

Microsoft alumna Marylou Brannan, the current executive director of the Microsoft Alumni Foundation, will remain in that role for the work that the Foundation will continue as part of the Microsoft Alumni Network.

"Our Microsoft alumni community is more than 10,000 strong and growing, and the new Microsoft Alumni Network can connect us all to help each other strive towards doing great things for our communities and the world," said Brannan. "Though many organizations provide benefits for alumni, Microsoft is unique in having a strong concentration of philanthropic-minded community members, which is why we are excited to bring both organizations together."

All former full-time employees – anyone who possessed a "blue badge" security identification card – are eligible to join the Microsoft Alumni Network and enjoy benefits and programs including a one-year subscription to Office 365 Home and a Passport card (similar to what alumni knew as Microsoft Prime) for dining, shopping, and travel discounts. Alumni also have access to the Microsoft Company Store with an allocation to purchase technology at employee pricing. Additionally, the organization will continue to support the inclusion of alumni in existing employee programs focused on philanthropy and civic engagement, such as the annual Day of Caring (part of the company's successful Employee Giving Program) and on-campus speaking engagements with the Microsoft Political Action Committee (MSPAC). Microsoft alumni and the general community can learn more about the new Microsoft Alumni Network by visiting www.microsoftalumni.com.

About the Microsoft Alumni Network

The new Microsoft Alumni Network was established in July 2014 when the existing Microsoft Alumni Network combined with the philanthropy-focused Microsoft Alumni Foundation. With more than 10,000 members worldwide, the Microsoft Alumni Network offers former employees an opportunity to connect and network with each other, as well as enjoy membership benefits and programs. The Microsoft Alumni Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity, is part of the Microsoft Alumni Network and works to catalyze the collective power of the Microsoft alumni community and leverage its resources to make a difference for others. Microsoft alumnus Jeff Raikes serves as chairman of the Microsoft Alumni Network board, and alumna Marylou Brannan serves as executive director of the organization's philanthropic work.

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SOURCE Microsoft Alumni Foundation