Who we are
The Microsoft Alumni Network is an impressive
worldwide community of alumni who share a common experience of
having
worked at Microsoft. Founded in 1995 by a few alumni who wanted to stay connected, the Alumni Network
today is a
member organization representing more than 48,000 alumni in 54 countries. While we are independent from
Microsoft
Corp., the company supports our mission through member benefits and program support. We’re entrepreneurs,
tech
innovators, career professionals, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and lifelong learners.
We are managed and led by committed, talented people working as staff members, serving on our board, and
volunteering their time to support the Microsoft alumni community.
Our Vision & Mission
As with technology, the impossible is made possible
when all the nodes in a network are connected. At the Alumni
Network, we also believe that each alumna and alumnus thrives when the whole community is connected.
Alumni can
continue to make big, positive differences in the world by working together and supporting each
other.
We empower all Microsoft alumni to do and achieve more while we keep you connected to all the things you
loved about working at
Microsoft – the technology, the intellectual curiosity, the social impact, and — most importantly — the
people.
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What we do
Alumni take their passion out into the world and accomplish amazing things.
They do this by applying what they
learned at Microsoft, connecting with the people they worked with at Microsoft, and turning their passion
towards
solving new business problems, innovating new technology, and making positive social impact.
The Alumni Network strives to support the amazing alumni community by keeping you connected to the company and to each other.
We support alumni by:
1. Partnering with Microsoft Corp. to deliver employee perks for alumni
2. Curating news and information relevant to the alumni community
3. Hosting informative and super fun events for alumni
4. Scouring the globe for inspiring alumni stories to share
5. Supporting alumni passion for giving and making positive social
impact
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From our Director
Unless your name is Clippy, everyone leaves the company eventually. It’s a growth
mindset.
No matter when, why or how you left, all Microsoft alumni share a common DNA and a passion for changing the
world. Working at Microsoft was a unique experience, an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than
yourself.
When you left the company, you probably wrote a goodbye email on your last day. Many do. The emails sum up gratitude, lessons learned and amazing experiences. There’s a common thread in almost every goodbye email: “I’ll miss the people the most.”
That’s where the Microsoft Alumni Network comes in. We certainly work (and live) with ubiquitous technology, but it’s people that matter the most. And, staying connected to the amazing people of Microsoft past and present is ultimately what the Alumni Network is all about. You see, alumni are entrepreneurs, startup innovators, business
and technology professionals, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and lifelong learners. Alumni hire each other,
share resources with each other, volunteer with each other and celebrate each other. That’s what a positive,
vibrant community does and that’s what the Alumni Network is.
Staying connected to each other is not only a lot of fun but also can ensure your success
post-Microsoft. I left the company in 2002 and have learned fellow alumni are the most important connections
I’ve kept. The Alumni Network is your community, you belong.
When you join us, you’ll retain some great employee perks. But, we know you will find value by staying
connected to all the things you loved about working at Microsoft – technology, the culture and — most
importantly — the people.
We’re glad you're here.
Ali Spain
The Microsoft Alumni Network Story
-
1995
In 1995, a small group of former Microsoft employees got together to create a member organization with the purpose of staying connected to each other. (This was way before social media and ubiquitous communications!). This group of 273 was called Alumnet and was one of the first formal corporate alumni programs.
Microsoft liked the idea and agreed to support Alumnet members by offering access to the Company store so alumni could purchase discounted software.
The first 10 years was about growing the community. As membership grew, so did the needs and interest of the alumni. Philanthropy become an important aspect of the Alumnet charter.
-
2006
In 2006, to better enable the philanthropy of the alumni community, Alumnet split into two distinct organizations.
- 1.The Microsoft Alumni Network, a membership-baseiframed group with the charter to support member benefits operationally, and
- 2.The Microsoft Alumni Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to support and celebrate the philanthropic work of the Microsoft Alumni community.
In 2009, the Alumni Foundation started the Integral Fellows grant program, later adding the Inspired Leaders program, and since has provided $1.5 million in grants to alumni led nonprofit organizations to recognize and support Microsoft alumni who are making a difference in the daily lives of others around the world.
-
2014
In 2014, the two organizations merged back together for operational efficiency and for clarity to the alumni community. The Alumni Foundation evolved into a Donor Advised Fund managed by the Seattle Foundation. The Alumni Network updated its charter to support the DAF with annual board-designated gifts from the profits of the Alumni Network operations.
-
2019 and beyond…
Today, the Microsoft Alumni Network is made up of 48,000+ former employees in 54 countries. Our charter remains true to our founders’ purpose of staying connected to each other and to the company. Connections are not only about reminiscing about past years, connections are also critical to post-Microsoft success in careers, in business and in philanthropic pursuits.
Microsoft alumni are some of the brightest, most passionate people. The Alumni Network is one of the most impressive and influential networks of people who stay connected to all things they loved about working at Microsoft — the technology, the learning, the giving and most importantly the people.
