Microsoft Corporation

Girl Scouts of the USA is fortunate to have Microsoft Corporation as a corporate sponsor for the 2005 Girl Scout National Council Session/50th Convention.

Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is the world's largest software company. With more than 50,000 employees worldwide, it develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for many computing devices. Its most popular products are the Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Office families of products.

Microsoft's mission is to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. Founded on the belief that accessible, affordable, and easy-to-use technology can empower people, communities, and nations, Microsoft values integrity, passion, and accountability. It recognizes that the promise of technology is still unrealized for millions of people. To remedy this, Microsoft Corporation donated more than $445 million in cash and product last year. Working through programs such as Partners in Learning, which aims to increase access to and build capacity for the use of technology by educators and students, Microsoft is helping people discover what technology can do for them, and what they can do with technology.

In the youth arena, Microsoft is dedicated to ensuring Internet safety for children and promotes this initiative through collaborations with various third parties, including the Girl Scouts.