Many companies like the idea of partnering with non-profits for social impact. One creative partnership is Microsoft's engagement with the Global Mentorship Initiative (GMI).

GMI's mission is to help reduce the employment opportunity gap for underserved youth. In five years, GMI has helped over 8,000 young graduates in over 100 countries to navigate the job market to get their first career job. In 2025, they will reach over 7,000 new students and refugees.

Microsoft is one of the chief champions behind GMI. Their creative collaboration is an excellent example of how strategic partnerships between for-profit and nonprofit entities can drive significant social impact and also benefit the company -- the definition of a true win-win.

Jon Browning believes every student deserves a champion -- I recently spoke with him about it. The need for mentors around the world is huge, explained Browning, GMI's founder and CEO.

"In many regions, youth unemployment for recent graduates surpasses 50%. After my time at Microsoft, I wanted to find a meaningful way to give back. This led to the Rockefeller Foundation's Digital Jobs Initiative which aimed to create career opportunities for young people worldwide and spawned the impact sourcing movement."

The idea for GMI formed during Jon's work with recruiters in Johannesburg, who noted that deserved opportunities often eluded those who needed them the most: first-generation university graduates in high-unemployment areas.

"These good jobs often went to graduates with established support networks and access to mentors and business connections," shared Browning. GMI was created to bridge the gap between graduation and first-career jobs for underrepresented young professionals from diverse communities.

Browning's career with Microsoft helped him understand the power of technology and mentoring. Noted Browning, "At Microsoft, young employees would often have a formal mentor. I saw firsthand how mentorship could drive better outcomes for young people. But I also knew the power of technology. So the idea was to combine the two to create a more equitable workforce of tomorrow's leaders."

That is why GMI leverages digital resources, AI with a human connection and mentorship. Commented Browning, "Students everywhere struggle to land their first meaningful job. Our program begins where many educational support programs end: the transition window between college to career."

Here is where GMI gets involved.

GMI matches mentees with business professionals at companies such as Microsoft who coach students through a structured, short-term, online mentorship designed to help underrepresented youth land their first job. Mentors guide their students through the intricacies of building a LinkedIn network, job-searching, resume-building and interview preparation -- all designed to significantly improve the mentees' employment prospects.

The program's success is evident in its results. Today, the program spans over 100 countries including eight refugee camps in the Middle East and Africa. Furthermore, 74% of GMI mentees worldwide have a job within six months of graduation.

Over 1,300 Microsoft employees from 55 countries have volunteered as GMI mentors, collectively mentoring students in 60 countries, including 100 refugees.

Browning shared some of the collaborative efforts GMI is doing with Microsoft.

"We partner on several CSR initiatives. When up-skilling cybersecurity students became a focus, Microsoft provided targeted support to connect these students with strategic nonprofit partners in several countries, leveraging the GMI mentorship framework. This initiative not only benefited the students, but also enriched the professional experience of Microsoft employees.

In 2024, Microsoft and GMI launched a mentorship program dubbed "ADC WINS" (Women Inspiring and Nurturing Students) in Kenya specifically for female students in STEM fields. Microsoft employees across Africa are mentoring these students, combining GMI's structured mentorship with targeted technical guidance designed by the Microsoft Africa Development Center (ADC).

This program aims to improve the recruitment of female STEM graduates to ensure female retention in STEM courses whilst at university, showcasing a powerful example of how targeted support can drive impactful change. Currently, the program has 70 women from 10 universities. Thankfully, this number is set to continue growing. The structure ensures that the mentor and mentee spend a minimum of one year together, where the mentees continue getting coaching and guidance as they pursue their STEM courses.

Microsoft's support extends beyond individual participation, as well. The company amplifies the visibility of these mentorship opportunities, particularly during their October Giving Month activities. This initiative, combined with the enthusiastic endorsement from current mentors, has propelled Microsoft to become the largest provider of mentors for GMI.

One reason the GMI model is so popular is that it embraces the shift toward virtual engagement. Explained Browning, "As companies adapt to remote-work environments, employee engagement campaigns have transitioned online. GMI offers volunteers the opportunity to participate in a short-term, online volunteer opportunity, which is very attractive to many high-tech workers."

As the network of mentors grows, mentors often become GMI ambassadors, sharing success stories and encouraging others to participate.

Pramiti Bhatnagar, a principal product manager in Australia, has been working at Microsoft for over 13 years. After completing her sixth GMI mentorship, she shared, "It's a rewarding and humbling experience to connect with students worldwide and learn about their cultures and experiences. So far, I have worked with students in Nepal, Lebanon, Kenya, the Philippines, Australia and Uganda."

Mercy Tum, a software engineer in Kenya, has been instrumental in driving hiring pipelines for GMI students at Microsoft. "I'm grateful for the mentorship I have received throughout the years," she said. "Being able to pay it forward as a mentor has been truly fulfilling. GMI is such a wonderful program, and I encourage others to be mentors."

The partnership between Microsoft and GMI serves as a compelling example of how for-profit and nonprofit organizations alike can collaborate to make a substantial impact. By offering employees meaningful volunteer opportunities, companies can enrich the employee experience, while also contributing positively to society.

This synergy not only helps underrepresented youth and refugees achieve their career goals, but also fosters a culture of social responsibility and community engagement within the corporate world.