Microsoft Corp. recently announced a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process for organizations to be a part of the Elevate America Veterans Initiative.  The initiative is designed to provide technology skills and support resources to veterans and their spouses when they transition to the civilian work force.  Applications are due on June 30, 2010, and the awardees will be named in August.  Click here to learn about eligibility and how your organization can participate.

The Elevate America Veterans Initiative is a new part of Microsoft’s Elevate America program, which provides free technology training in 17 states (more are coming soon) and already includes FREE online resources such as Microsoft Digital Literacy trainingMicrosoft Office Live Small BusinessMicrosoft StudentMicrosoft DreamSpark for Students, and Community Technology Skills Program Partners.

For the Veterans Initiative, “Microsoft has convened organizations serving veterans to serve on an advisory committee for the Veterans Initiative over the next two years to help provide guidance and expertise throughout this process. Organizations on the advisory committee include The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America, United Service Organizations (USO), and Wounded Warrior Project.”  We’re proud to be a part of this innovative new program!

“We salute Microsoft for its ongoing support of the nation’s wounded veterans and wounded warriors,” says our President and CEO, Sloan Gibson. “The community-based efforts to support these troops and ease the transition from military to civilian life will improve their lives.”

“Wounded Warrior Project believes it is our duty to empower wounded service members with the tools they need to embark on a path toward a successful and meaningful career,” said WWP Executive Director Steve Nardizzi. “We commend Microsoft for creating Elevate America and for shouldering responsibility for the training and transition of our wounded warriors into the civilian work force.”

We invite veterans and their families to utilize the great resources already available, and we will keep you posted on the states and organizations that participate.  And you can always follow The USO and Elevate America on Twitter for the latest!

Click here to learn more about Elevate America’s Veterans Initiative!