As Microsoft turns 50, it’s tempting to reflect on the software giant’s legacy. After all, this is a company that revolutionized personal computing, advanced productivity tools like Microsoft Office, and redefined gaming through Xbox.

Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith prefers to focus on what’s ahead. Think artificial intelligence that enhances productivity and creativity, while emphasizing responsibility, fairness, and transparency; undertaking bold new initiatives to solve the affordable housing crisis; redefining how to help those in need.

“I hope that we can use this as an opportunity to look to the future together, to look ahead to the next quarter of a century,” Smith says. “What would be our 75th birthday in the year 2050? Let’s really imagine together what we want this region to be, and then let’s go build it.” Seattle magazine is honoring Microsoft on its Most Influential list for its outsized influence across the globe. It’s the first time an organization has appeared on the list.

In Washington state alone, Microsoft and employees have donated a staggering $1.3 billion, including $114.2 million in 2024, to more than 23,400 organizations

In honor of its 50th Microsoft will make 50 grants of $50,000 apiece to 50 local “changemakers” across the Puget Sound region. The grants will focus on organizations that protect civic “jewels and iconic places,” as well as those that help people in need. It’s Microsoft’s way of thanking the community for its unwavering support of the company the past five decades.

“We couldn’t have succeeded without the support of this community,” Smith says, noting that “no company in the history of business” has been more philanthropical. During the past five decades, Microsoft and its employees have contributed more than $3 billion across the globe. In Washington state alone, Microsoft and employees have donated a staggering $1.3 billion, including $114.2 million in 2024, to more than 23,400 organizations. Globally, employees this year donated $250 million and volunteered 1 million hours in support of 35,000 nonprofits.

The company’s affordable housing initiatives are just as noteworthy. It committed $500 million to the effort six years ago this month, later raising that to $750 million. Investments include low-cost loans to subsidize construction and working with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission for land acquisition.

Microsoft is also using its 50th anniversary to identify opportunities for its AI for Good Lab, which seeks to leverage AI and data science to “create new opportunities” across the region. Partners in that effort include the University of Washington and Fred Hutch Cancer Center.

“What I hope that we can do as we get into 2025 is thank the community even more for what it has done,” Smith says, “and remind people a little bit about what we tried to do.”