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<font face="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><span style="font-size:11pt">Directors: I received this from the Gates Foundation via the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies. I wanted to pass it on in case you might be interested. Please note that the program is Microsoft’s and not a program of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Also, only 501c3 organizations are eligible.<br>
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</span></font><font size="1"><font face="Optima, Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:9pt">Jim Scheppke, State Librarian<br>
Oregon State Library<br>
250 Winter St. NE<br>
Salem, OR 97301<br>
503-378-4367<br>
(fax) 503-585-8059<br>
<a href="jim.b.scheppke@state.or.us">jim.b.scheppke@state.or.us</a><br>
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<img src="cid:3367236311_1398142"><font color="#008000">Go Green, Keep it on screen - think before you print.<br>
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</font></font></span></font><font face="Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><span style="font-size:11pt">------ Forwarded Message<br>
From: Kendall Wiggin <<a href="kwiggin@cslib.org">kwiggin@cslib.org</a>><br>
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 08:16:58 -0400<br>
To: COSLA List <<a href="list@cosla.org">list@cosla.org</a>><br>
Cc: Sharon Brettschneider <<a href="SBrett@cslib.org">SBrett@cslib.org</a>><br>
Subject: [COSLA-L] Fwd: FW: Microsoft Elevate America Community Initiative RFP<br>
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On behalf of Jaime Hoard, Senior Program Officer, US Libraries Program, BILL & MELINDA GATES foundation <br>
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As an expansion of our Elevate America state voucher program, Microsoft is pleased to announce the availability of a request for proposals (RFP) for the Microsoft Elevate America community initiative. Microsoft will contribute $4 million in cash and up to $6 million in software, plus technology skills training curriculum, over the next two years to support nonprofit organizations providing IT skills training in their communities to help people improve their skills and find employment.<br>
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Since 2003, Microsoft has been committed to providing IT skills training to individuals across the country. In partnership with thousands of nonprofit organizations, we've reached more than 27 million people. Through the Elevate America community initiative we will continue to expand and deepen our IT skills training investments in the U.S. by working with organizations that seek to grow their reach with programs that have the ability to scale and leverage partnerships at the local, regional and national level.<br>
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For this request for proposal process, we seek to partner with organizations who serve people in underserved communities - individuals with limited or less than average (compared to the relevant broader population) - providing access to the education and training resources required to meet the needs of local labor market demands. We have a particular, but not exclusive, interest in working with partners who are focused on the needs of women and young workers (ages 18-25) who are at an even greater risk within the broader population.<br>
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You can read more on our blog<<a href="http://www.microsoftupblog.com/post/Announcing-Microsoft-Elevate-America-nonprofits-grant-program.aspx">http://www.microsoftupblog.com/post/Announcing-Microsoft-Elevate-America-nonprofits-grant-program.aspx</a>> and we encourage you to review the RFP and eligibility criteria on our Elevate America<<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/community-tools/job-skills/Community-Initiative/">http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/community-tools/job-skills/Community-Initiative/</a>> website. Interested organizations have until October 8th, 2010 to apply to this initiative and successful applicants will be announced in January, 2011.<br>
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Please share this information with your partners, colleagues and community and encourage all eligible organizations providing to explore this opportunity.<br>
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You can learn more about Microsoft's work in communities across the country and around the world at www.microsoft.com/communityaffairs<<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/communityaffairs">http://www.microsoft.com/communityaffairs</a>>.<br>
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Best regards,<br>
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Yvonne Thomas<br>
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Microsoft Elevate America: tools and resources to build your technology skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow www.microsoft.com/elevateamerica <br>
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