CENTRAL POINT, OR – Earlier this year in May, Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) was invited by Microsoft to participate in a device donation pilot program facilitated by their Change Agent Program and the Surface Devices team. In late June Microsoft awarded DBL with 30 Surface Laptops to be used in supporting the organization’s mission, with an in-kind value of approximately $50,000.
30 Microsoft Surface Laptops arrive on DBL’s West Campus in early June.
“The partnership between Microsoft and Dogs for Better Lives reflects our shared belief in the power of technology to create meaningful change, stated Microsoft’s Principle CxPM Manager Jacob Orchard. Donating laptops to DBL is more than just providing cutting edge technology. It’s also about giving their team, across the nation, the tools needed to connect, collaborate, and expand their reach and impact in the communities they serve.”
Jacob Orchard is a retired veteran with hearing loss who currently serves on DBL’s Regional Advisory Board – Pacific Northwest. With Jacob’s close connection to the organization’s mission, he has continued to advance the partnership between Microsoft and DBL, through the nonprofit’s annual engagement in Microsoft Giving Month (October), and new for this year, participation in Microsoft’s Hackathon (September).
Upon seven large boxes arriving on DBL’s West Coast Campus and headquarters in Central Point, OR, each of the laptops are now being evaluated and in many cases, updated and formatted with new software and programs, among other tasks.
“This generous donation from Microsoft isn’t just about hardware; it’s about empowerment. The new laptops will significantly boost capabilities, streamline operations, and allow the team to focus on innovation, stated CEO Bryan Williams. “The partnership and the tangible positive impact on work are deeply appreciated.”
This technology donation will significantly help augment DBL’s need to periodically replace older and outdated employee laptops over the next few years. While technology and equipment play major roles in supporting staff and the important work each employee is performing, often this is one of the more difficult pieces to get funded, as donors often wish to fund programs, not equipment.
Currently DBL has 47 staff across the country, with nearly half the team located on its West Coast campus and headquarters in southern Oregon, ten on its East Coast campus in Falmouth, MA, and the remaining staff spread out across 12 states. For a national nonprofit with staff working across the country, new laptops offer numerous benefits that significantly impact their efficiency, collaboration, security, and ultimately, their ability to achieve DBL’s mission.
Recently received Microsoft Surface Laptops being inspected prior to software updates.
“Investing in upgraded laptops for our nationwide team isn’t just about faster machines; it’s about amplifying our mission,” stated Vice President of Operations Trish Welch. “Empowering our geographically dispersed staff with reliable, high-performance technology streamlines operations, enhances collaboration, and ultimately expands our capacity to serve individuals in need across the country.
As Microsoft continue to invest and expand in this partnership, is primarily will do it through pushing events this year to empower DBL. This could be seen with strategic efforts to elevate DBL’s use of AI to promote the national nonprofit and its key programs such as volunteer recruitment of puppy raisers. By utilizing Microsoft’s AI tools into supporting DBL’s business processes, the hopeful outcomes is to see a much greater year long impact by using the technology to help advance and solve the organization’s key goals.
