Code.org

Since its founding in 2013, Code.org has been intertwined with Microsoft. Co-founder and CEO Hadi Partovi, a former Microsoft intern and then engineer, launched Code.org so every child in the U.S. could experience the same life-changing impacts that computer science (CS) had on his life. As an immigrant who loved programming, Partovi understood how CS education opens doors. And both he and Microsoft were concerned that so many young people still didn’t have access to CS education in their schools.  

Thanks to Code.org and Microsoft’s support, 92 million students worldwide have now experienced the curiosity, excitement, and fun of programming. As one student echoed Partovi’s story, “Code.org single-handedly changed the trajectory of my life.” 

Microsoft’s partnership with Code.org reflects its commitment to the causes valued by so many people across Washington State. The company has made the region a better place to live and work through donations, volunteerism, public engagement, and infrastructure investments, from its earliest days.   

Microsoft has relished its role as a corporate citizen. The company and its 60,000 employees prioritize the community’s needs because the Puget Sound region is home. Their investments in affordable housing, transportation, education, and the arts have contributed to the local economy’s growth into a global tech hub, creating thousands of jobs and attracting talent. By working with Code.org, Microsoft aims to equip the next generation, especially those furthest from opportunity, with the skills to join the tech industry.  

In turn, Code.org has an expansive approach to increasing access to CS education. The nonprofit advocates for policy that gets CS education into schools. They train teachers and create high-quality programs with engaging curriculum. They also inspire young people with programs such as Hour of Code.  

“We think of computer science as foundational: Every single student should learn it. And in the age of AI, it’s critical they understand the technical underpinnings of the AI revolution that’s changing the workforce and everybody’s day-to-day life,” says Code.org President Cameron Wilson.  

From the nonprofit’s founding through today, Microsoft has supported Code.org via thought leadership, funding, and volunteering. “Microsoft is the largest all-time donor to Code.org, enabling our mission,” explains David Bernier, Director of Partnerships and Development at Code.org. “Generous philanthropic giving enables us to create, support, and deliver all our products, curriculum, Hour of Code resources, and content that reaches students and teachers globally.” 

Getting CS into every school

U.S. school subjects have remained largely unchallenged over the decades. Code.org helped orchestrate a nationwide shift in thinking. When Code.org was founded, most students didn’t take CS classes either because schools didn’t offer them or they were considered elective courses, not counting towards graduation requirements. With help from Microsoft and others, Code.org launched the nationwide “Make Computer Science Count” advocacy campaign to ensure that computer science courses could satisfy math and science graduation requirements. Ultimately all 50 states adopted this policy, and the number of students taking computer science dramatically rose across the country.

“That was our deepest partnership with Microsoft, and it was foundational. I don’t know of any other policy initiative in education that spread as fast as Make Computer Science Count,” Wilson says. “Microsoft’s leadership in the early days was instrumental to changing the system.” 

More recently, Code.org, Microsoft, and other advocates collaborated on a major push for federal funding. The efforts were rewarded with a $200 million presidential commitment for CS education in 2017. The movement has encouraged 20 states (and counting) to make CS a graduation requirement, underscoring how important the subject is for young people’s future success.

The partnership between Code.org and Microsoft is a “beautiful, trusted relationship,” explains Carolina Martin, VP of Development at Code.org. Microsoft leaders invest their time and expertise in helping the nonprofit realize its vision of CS and AI education for all. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith served on the organization’s Board and gave an influential talk on the talent gap, which spurred nationwide action. Code.org’s How AI Works video series featured Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and other leaders. And Microsoft Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott and Corporate Vice President Julia Liuson currently serve on Code.org’s Board.  

This varied support contributes to Code.org’s impact, reaching 92 million young people globally. “Our deep partnership with Microsoft informed how we shape our policy agenda, position ourselves globally, and grow,” Wilson says.

Inspiring the next generation

In an elementary school classroom recently, children bounced with excitement as the blocks of code they arranged on the computer combined to create a song with a sick beat. Students mixed tracks from Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and other artists they follow. The kids lit up with the joy of making something uniquely theirs—through programming. 

Code.org offers hundreds of activities, including branded partnerships with Disney, Minecraft, Transformers, and others that get young people fired up about coding. Wilson notes the Microsoft-built Minecraft Hour of Code series was one of the most popular education tools in the organization’s history. 

Enthusiastic adults bring this learning to life. Microsoft employees turn out in force for Hour of Code events during Computer Science Education Week, helping students gain confidence with every block they place or line of code they write. “Teachers and volunteers make this movement go: They’re the grassroots that fuel this excitement,” Wilson says.  

Microsoft employees also give generously. They donate personal funds, which Microsoft matches. Employees also find creative ways to support the movement, such as hosting poker tournaments benefiting the nonprofit. They even help spread programming opportunities internationally, volunteering in classrooms across the world and in efforts to advance CS education policy in other countries.  

There is still a lot of work to do, as Wilson points out. Many students in the U.S. still do not take programming classes. CS enrollment has not reached gender parity. As the AI economy grows, millions of young people around the world still lack access to this foundational subject area.   

To overcome these challenges, Code.org is building on the momentum gained by working together. “Our partnership with Microsoft offers such breadth and depth of support to everything we do,” Wilson says. “With this funding and collaboration, our work can continue to scale.”