Boys & Girls Club King County

M. hadn’t been going to school for months when his brother invited him to join a project at a Boys & Girls Club in Seattle. A team of high schoolers, mentored by a group of Microsoft volunteers, was building a virtual reality experience to represent what it’s like to be part of their Club. M. not only helped create the project, which he and his peers presented to supporters during the annual Boys & Girls Club of King County gala and to Microsoft employees on the Redmond campus — but he also rejoined high school, developed new friendships, and became involved in other Club programming.

“We are committed to doing whatever it takes to create great futures,” says Lori Bae, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Club (BGC) of King County. “Achieving this requires a community of compassionate adults, a secure and supportive environment, high-quality programs, and enriching experiences to empower our youth.”

Christine Lessard, Chief Development Officer of BGC of Bellevue, agrees. “We meet kids where they’re at with academic help, mentorship, snacks, tech skills, and more. We’re a safe space. Microsoft’s fundamental support gives our staff, who are truly heroes, the opportunity to make miracles every day.”

Microsoft has supported BGC of King County and Bellevue for more than three decades through annual grants, capital campaigns, technology expertise, and discounts through Tech for Social Impact, and sponsorships through the annual Giving Campaign 5K. Employees donate their time and funds, which are matched by Microsoft, as volunteers and board members. Since Microsoft’s first donation of $100 to BGC King County in 1987, the company and its employees have given more than $13.7 million to these two organizations combined.

“Microsoft is full of wonderful people who model true generosity,” Bae says.

More than 200,000 households in King County and Bellevue earn less than $43,000 a year. Limited access to food, housing, broadband, school supplies, and other fundamental needs create barriers to equitable opportunity. “At the most basic level, Boys & Girls Clubs exist to give kids safe and inclusive places to be when school is out,” Bae explains.

The new Lake Hills Clubhouse in Bellevue, opened just last year, is one such space. Nearly 85 percent of its members return every day to hang out with friends and staff, receive homework help, use the Microsoft-equipped technology center, get some exercise, and much more. "This daily use rate demonstrates that we are a literal lifeline for many of these kids. We are their constant in a world of change,” Lessard explains. “Through Microsoft’s in-kind giving and grants, kids really in need of a safe space—a ‘second home’—have those structures and caring adults around them.”

This need was particularly acute during the COVID-19 pandemic. When schools temporarily closed, hundreds of kids attended online school and in-person programming from their local Clubs. Microsoft provided laptops to children who needed them and even sent Connector buses to transport children to Clubs. That innovative take on what philanthropy can look like enables BGC to follow through on their promises to children. “We work to make sure that every youth feels appreciated, welcomed, seen, and equipped for a great future,” Bae says.

BGC King County and Bellevue are working to extend that support to even more young people. The organizations are considering how to meet changing needs, such as extending hours at some Clubs or strategically planning where to open new Clubs. Matching dollars from Microsoft go directly to BGC Bellevue’s scholarship fund, as dozens of children remain on a waiting list.

Bae says, “There are so many dimensions of Microsoft’s giving and generosity, and that powers the work we do.”

In BGC of Bellevue’s 18 Clubs and BGC of King County’s 34 Clubs, kids grin and laugh as they play pool, climb jungle gyms, and compete in video games. “It’s beautiful to witness the positivity these youth bring,” says Anna Battisti, Development Marketing Manager at BGC of Bellevue. “They’re able to change their story and their family’s arc to do great things with their lives.”

Microsoft is among the top contributors to both BGC organizations. In addition to funding, Microsoft is active in BGC YouthForce, the teen career development program. It provides opportunities to explore career paths, develop skills, and even participate in internships. For example, local youth have toured the Microsoft Redmond campus, participated in career panels featuring a wide range of Microsoft professionals, and learned tech skills through hands-on practice, such as the virtual experience project.

“These experiences help kids see what they can be,” Lessard says. “We give them the space to dream and envision their futures.”

Microsoft’s funding, thought partnership, and employees in BGC volunteer leadership help the organizations weather the ups and downs of nonprofit life, as well as to grow to meet the evolving needs of Puget Sound communities. “Microsoft’s philanthropy helps us be sustainable,” Lessard says. “We know we can respond to changing dynamics because we have this foundation of support.”

This dynamic trickles down to the relationships kids rely on every time they walk into their Club. “There is power in showing kids what possibilities can look like,” Bae says. “We’ve had so many cool opportunities to give kids the chance to look up and out at what their life could be, thanks to Microsoft.”