Microsoft pledges $1bn in cloud computing resources to benefit nonprofits and universities

Today, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a new initiative designed to ensure its cloud services, including Azure — a platform designed for building, managing and deploying applications and services — are accessible by those that stand to benefit most from the additional resources, universities and nonprofits.

Recently formed Microsoft Philanthropies will donate the services, measured at fair market value, over the next three years as part of a larger three-part commitment.

The elements of this commitment are:

1. Serving the broad needs of the nonprofit community. The program aims to make Microsoft Cloud Services available to more than 70,000 nonprofits in the next three years.
2. Expanding access to cloud resources for faculty research in universities. Microsoft’s research program would grant free cloud storage and resources to university students and faculty to accelerate research initiatives in science and technology.
3. Reaching new communities with last mile connectivity and cloud services. In a combined effort with Microsoft Business Development, Microsoft Philanthropies will donate access to cloud services and invest in newer, low-cost, last-mile internet access technologies and community training.

➤ Microsoft Philanthropies announces commitment to donate $1 billion in cloud computing resources to serve the public good [Microsoft]