Press Release - March 21, 2006

Local residents displaced by hurricanes benefit from job skills and technology training
Technology for All announces Microsoft grant worth more than $708,000 in cash and software during March event

On behalf of Technology For All, Dr. Will Reed accepts plaque from Microsoft’s Jennifer Heard (General Manager, South Central District, Microsoft) on the occasion of the $708,000 grant (software and cash) announcement at the United Way Community Resource Center.

Houston – March 21, 2006 – For 19 days in September 2005, Houston-based nonprofit Technology For All operated three community technology centers at the Houston Astrodome and Reliant City complex to respond to the needs of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Those efforts continue across Houston today, in the form of job skills training for residents displaced by the hurricane – with the boost of a recent Microsoft grant.

To further empower underserved Houston residents from all backgrounds, Microsoft has awarded a grant worth more than $708,000 in cash and software to Technology For All, which is dedicated to creating educational, economic and personal opportunities for the underserved and the communities in which they live.

This contribution to the Houston community is part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential (UP) program; the company’s global program focused on promoting digital inclusion and increased access to technology skills training in communities underserved by technology.

“Across Houston, many of our neighbors do not have a basic understanding of technology, which is keeping them from landing higher-paying, secure jobs,” said Technology For All president and chief executive officer William S. Reed. “By using technology as a tool to create business solutions to community problems and issues, Technology For All can encourage digital inclusion and help open doors to jobs and independence as we work with more than 200 Houston-area organizations. We are truly grateful for Microsoft’s generous support.”

The grant was formally announced March 21 at 11:00 a.m. during Technology For All’s monthly “brown-bag lunch” speaking event, held at the United Way Community Resource Center at 50 Waugh Drive in Houston. Microsoft South Central District General Manager Jennifer Heard was keynote speaker, discussing how technology – both in plain use and through job skills training – has aided the relief of people affected by one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

“As technology changes the face of the U.S. economy, it is increasingly important for everyone to possess this important knowledge,” said Microsoft South Central District General Manager Jennifer Heard. “For many people, economic and social issues have kept them from reaching their goals and attaining further education and advancement. That’s why Microsoft has donated more than $3 million directly to Houston organizations since 2000 – because we have long believed that inside each and every person, there is great potential. We feel privileged to be a part of Technology For All’s efforts to better equip our Houston residents with critical technology skills.”

Microsoft’s grant will be used to support training and coordination of Technology for All’s Community Technology 2.0 program, a broad effort aimed at providing training and support to 20 community technology centers involved in continuing hurricane recovery efforts. Additionally, this grant will allow Technology For All to improve and grow their ongoing activities to address the needs of their neighborhoods.

"The Technology For All organization and its community technology
centers have been a great addition to our community for nearly a
decade," said Congressman Gene Green. "Not too many organizations or
companies focus on low-income and under-resourced communities. I would
like to commend and thank Microsoft for their more than generous
donation to Technology For All. This money and software will go to
great use in educating thousands of individuals from our community and
giving many the skills they need to earn a decent wage and become a
viable part of the workforce. The work that Technology For All has
accomplished through the years, with the support of generous companies
like Microsoft, is immeasurable. One can't put a value on hope, and
together, that is what they have done and continue to do for many of our
low-income citizens - give them hope of a better future through
technology."
-Congressmen Gene Green-

Technology For All is a nonprofit organization focused on empowering low-income and under-resourced communities using the tools of technology. In the Houston area, Technology For All-Houston has helped create and develop over 200 community technology centers (CTCs) in collaboration with community-based organizations across the region. Nationally, Technology For All provides supportive services to over 360 individual CTCs in 56 U.S. cities.

For more information, please contact
Will Reed - Technology For All
713.454.6400
Will.Reed@techforall.org.

Microsoft and its employees have long recognized the importance of being engaged in supporting communities around the world. Last year the company donated $61 million in cash and $273 million in software to 8,000 nonprofit organizations. While a majority of the company’s community investments are made in support of Unlimited Potential, a global program that supports community technology centers in IT skills training, the company also makes software available to improve the use of technology by nonprofit organizations. Microsoft products are available to qualified organizations at http://www.techsoup.org.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Christa Shalhoub
Airfoil Public Relations – High Tech PR
(248) 304-1435
shalhoub@airfoilpr.com