Microsoft Corp. today announced the distribution of the summer 2002 Technology Enriched Community (TEC) grants, totaling more than $30,000 in cash and $305,000 worth of software, and bolstering the efforts of nonprofit organizations in the Texas region. In addition, the company released its fiscal year-end giving numbers (June 2001 to June 2002), which total more than $10 million in cash and software for Texas nonprofits. Microsoft donations support a variety of projects that are helping to build community and strengthen services provided by local nonprofit agencies. The most recent round of Technology Enriched Community grants further underscores Microsoft's long-standing commitment to the Texas region and will enable nonprofit organizations such as the Head Start of Greater Dallas and the Metrocrest Social Service Center to expand critical technology access and training to program participants and enhance their technology infrastructure to streamline organizational operations.

"In the current economic slowdown, nonprofits are expected to serve more communities with increasingly limited resources and funds," said Wanda Smith, chief executive director of Head Start of Greater Dallas. "The Technology Enrichment Community grant, in combination with Microsoft's giving over the past year, has enabled us as well as other nonprofits throughout Texas to provide much-needed services to underserved communities." "Microsoft is delighted to help nonprofit organizations in Texas increase access to technology and offer enhanced services to their constituents," said Bruce Brooks, director of community affairs at Microsoft. "Microsoft believes that technology can help people achieve their goals today and in the future, and, through our corporate giving, we are committed to providing underserved communities with the resources they need to generate opportunity."