For years, Microsoft has had an annual giving campaign where they encourage employees to donate money to their favorite charities. Microsoft matches 100% of employee donations to qualified charities up to $12,000 annually. Last year, employee contributions, Microsoft match, and corporate donations resulted in over $39.9 million in cash and $207 million worth of software being given to charitable causes around the world. In 2001, it was over $36.7 million in cash and $179 million in software.
At the upcoming Microsoft annual shareholders meeting, shareholders will be voting on the following proposal:
This proposal was put forth by an individual shareholder, not the Microsoft board. Why would she -- or anyone -- want to stop this kind of giving to needy charities?
Because some charities -- such as Planned Parenthood -- support abortion. So, to make sure that no money goes to charities that this person doesn't like, she has proposed that it is best to just stop the entire $247 million/year flow. Sheez.
Microsoft's board of directors has sensibly recommended a vote against this vindictive and destructive proposal.
From the Microsoft company meeting transcript (http://www.microsoft.com/msft/speech/FY03/shareholdermeeting03.mspx):
JOHN CONNORS: Thank you, Brad. The amendments are approved.
The next item is the shareholder proposal. The proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voting on this matter. Brad, please report the vote.
BRAD SMITH: The shareholder proposal received 1.96 percent of the votes cast.
JOHN CONNORS: Thank you, Brad. The shareholder proposal is not approved.
Yay!!