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Building on a legacy of rural innovation

At Microsoft, we believe in the people of rural America and that technology can enable these communities to take us into the future.

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Our commitment and partnership in rural America

In partnership with local communities, Microsoft invests to give people the resources and opportunities they need to thrive where they're planted.

Healthcare security

Access to healthcare services can be challenging in rural locations. We are investing to best support advances in AI that expand rural healthcare options and deliver cybersecurity technology to hospitals and communities long-term.

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Education and job training

Microsoft works with teachers, nonprofit leaders and community colleges to bring world class tech education and AI training to learners of all ages, ensuring they're never forced to leave their community to build enriching careers.

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Digital connectivity

We partner with local governments, broadband and media providers to bring high-speed internet and trusted, local media to keep communities connected and informed.

Supporting what matters

Working with local partners, Microsoft offers technology, programs and resources to help ensure those who call rural America home have what they need to build a healthy, secure, and bright future for themselves and their families.

Healthcare security Education and job training Digital connectivity

Healthcare security

Driving innovation in healthcare

Providing healthcare, particularly specialized medicine, or surgical procedures, can be challenging in remote locations. In recent years, telemedicine has emerged as a potential solution. Learn about a new real-time 360-degree 3D telemedicine system.

Read the research

Providing rural hospitals with secure technology

Rural hospitals provide critical services to the communities they serve but cyberattacks have become a growing threat that can severely impact patient care and compromise private data. We are committed to helping rural hospitals keep their health services safe and secure.

Learn about our new program

Using data and AI to save lives

Data and AI can help solve the world’s biggest heath issues, one life at a time. The Health Equity Dashboard allows users to compare county-level health data quickly and easily across a variety of measures, including health status, health services utilization and quality, and social determinants of health.

Explore the dashboard

Education and job training

Building skills for jobs

Providing skills training is complex work. Focused on where we believe we can have the greatest impact, we share content, curriculum, training materials, and insights to help people gain skills for the AI economy.

Explore learning pathways

Access Digital Skills Hub

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Supporting inclusive CS Education

Our Technology Education and Learning Support (TEALS) program connects teachers with tech-industry volunteers in communities across the US to create valuable computer science programs.

Explore more

Watch the TEALS video

Helping local community colleges

Jobs in cybersecurity are high-wage, high-growth and in demand – across every sector. But we’re currently not training or certifying enough people to meet the growing demand. Microsoft has partnered with community colleges across the country to get people the skills they need.

Learn more

Explore CodePath program

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Digital connectivity

Providing people with digital access

Millions of Americans lack broadband access, especially in rural communities. Our Airband Initiative is extending affordable broadband access to more communities around the US.

Learn more about Airband

View access in your community

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Supporting journalists and newsrooms

Healthy democracies require independent journalism and a strong information ecosystem. Our work helps to strengthen local newsrooms and provide security for journalists. Our local pilot programs are helping create new, sustainable business models for journalism.

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Learn more about protecting journalism

Access in your community

Access to affordable internet, affordable devices and digital skills – is a foundation for economic opportunity. Our Digital Equity Data Dashboard gives a street-by-street view of the US.

Explore dashboard

Sparking tech ecosystems

Microsoft TechSpark fosters job creation and innovation in communities across the US. By partnering to understand the unique challenges of a local area we can explore the solutions, programs and partnerships that will be most effective.

Learn more about TechSpark See the impact in Green Bay

Addressing local priorities

Helping communities harness the power of AI

AI offers tremendous potential to empower workers around the world – but only if everyone, everywhere has the skills to use it. Our AI Skills Initiative helps people and communities around the world learn how to harness the power of AI.

Explore AI resources View on-demand community events

Tackling homelessness

NeighborWorks America tackles the housing crisis across the U.S. by supporting nearly 250 local nonprofits. But, its outdated on-prem hardware caused regular system outages, limiting partner organizations' important work. Learn about their digital transformation.

Read the NeighborWorks case study

Investing in kids’ futures

To help Junior Achievement USA scale to serve even more young people, this nonprofit needed a cohesive technology ecosystem. Learn how their digital transformation is empowering them to share and analyze data, create a better volunteer experience, and more effectively gain grants.

Read the Junior Achievement case study

Stories about issues impacting rural America

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Learn about online safety

With growing interest in emerging technologies, including generative AI, Safer Internet Day provides an opportunity for people of all ages to engage and discuss online activities and safety.

Learn more about generative AI

Preserving and strengthening democracy

Making sure people have the tools necessary to find, consume and share authoritative information is critical to supporting a healthy thriving democracy. Learn about Microsoft’s information literacy efforts.

Read blog post

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Meeting the AI moment

This past year was one of technology’s most exciting with the emergence of generative AI, as leaders everywhere considered the possibilities it represented for their organizations. Microsoft is focused on developing Responsible AI strategies grounded in thoughtful innovation.

Read about AI Transformation Read about responsible AI

Partnering for impact

The members of a community best understand their own needs. Microsoft works closely with local business, nonprofit, and government partners to help expand opportunity and accelerate progress. Some of our partners include:

FFA

FFA is the premier youth organization preparing members for leadership in the science, business, and technology of agriculture.

Read about FFA FarmBeats for Students

National 4-H Council

4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

Learn more about 4-H 4-H Tech Changemakers

National Rural Health Association

The NRHA is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for rural health care providers and patients. Their mission is to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research.

Visit the NRHA website

Land O’Lakes

Land O’Lakes, one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods.

Read case study

National Forest Foundation

The National Forest Foundation makes a positive impact on the planet through the work they do to protect forests and grasslands across the United States.

Play the National Forest Foundation video

NCW Tech Alliance

NCW Tech Alliance brings people and technology resources together to support entrepreneurs, STEM education, and technology adoption.

Visit the website

Learn more

Nonprofit grants and discounts

Power your organization with free technology grants and custom-built solutions for nonprofits.

Explore nonprofit offers

Grow your business with Microsoft 365

Bring your business ideas to life with the tools you need to create and connect.

Find out more about Microsoft 365 Five ways AI helps small business

Achieving more together

We believe that companies that can do more should. Learn about our commitments to ensure the technology we create benefits everyone on the planet, as well as the planet itself.

Read our impact report

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