The Intel Foundation matches the time that Intel employees spend giving back to our schools with a cash donation. For every 20 hours that Intel employees spend volunteering for our schools, the Intel Foundation will match those hours with a grant of $200. The volunteer hours of all Intel employees at each school are accumulated to determine the total annual grant for that school.

It is because of our volunteers' commitment to education and the community that this program continues to grow. The 2005–2006 school year will see 224 Oregon schools receiving VMGP grants totaling $487,800 as a results of 50,531 volunteer hours.

Private, as well as public, schools are eligible. They must be legitimate, tax-exempt, non-profit schools that meet the IRS regulations and must not practice discrimination. Volunteer activities that do not qualify for the matching grant include: fund raising events; coaching athletic teams; attending parent club meetings or parent-teacher conferences; and religious instruction.

Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering and Math (AWSEM)* endeavors to excite and support girls' interest in technology and math/science curricula. They also strive to provide a creative mentor opportunity with other Intel women and to maximize Intel's monetary donation to AWSEM clubs through the Volunteer Matching Grants Program. Intel Oregon employees have adopted girls at Aloha, Five Oaks and Mountain View Middle Schools.

Start Making A Reader Today (SMART) is an elementary school reading program that pairs and adult one-on-one with a K-3rd grade student to provide mentorship and instill a love of reading and a joy for books. The program supports its goals by providing children with new books of their own to take home and share with their families. Intel employees commit to spending one hour a week reading to two children for 30 minutes each. Books are provided by SMART and by Intel's monetary donation to the SMART program.

The High Tech Explorer Post provides youth with insight into careers in the computer and electronics industry. Intel volunteers help as Explorer Post advisors, meeting speakers and technical help to teach youth about PC refurbishing at PC Builds for Charity held once per quarter. The Post also has a joint project with Intel in which Explorer Post members refurbish Intel's surplus PCs to be donated to local non-profit charities.

The Community Action Organization (CAO) is a local non-profit organization that provides services for the needy population of Washington County. Intel is partnering with CAO to upgrade its computing facility and providing expertise in the implementation of new information technology. Intel employees reinforce our commitment to CAO by spending time volunteering for many of CAO's programs.

University Park Community Center
The University Park Community Center (UPCC) in Portland is a technology center sponsored by the Intel Foundation and Network of Intel African American Employees, an Intel employee group. The UPCC mission is to serve the community of North Portland in computer education. Intel employee volunteers spend time as class instructors, instructor assistants, mentors, staff and network and workstation support.

Intel Oregon volunteers excite kids about engineering and technology by presenting lessons in 3rd-12th grade classrooms for the national program held in February. Each presentation includes a demonstration showing practical applications of math, science and engineering. At the same time, the volunteers earn money for the school through the VMG program. Intel Involved provides the program materials and volunteer training.

SOLV, Intel and other Washington County partners help volunteers improve livability in the area by cleaning and restoring the natural environment. Projects include watershed restoration, park enhancement, non-profit and elderly home beautification, and Tri-met bus route clean up.

4-H Tech Wizards is an Intel volunteer initiated and led program that has become a national role model for introducing technology to under-represented youth (minority, female, and rural) from Washington County. The program, initiated in 1999, utilizes best practices, Intel values and culturally appropriate methods to engage under-represented and at-risk youth to stay in school, become technically literate, and capable of pursuing technology careers. Members of the Oregon Intel Latino Network and Intel Oregon Corporate Affairs volunteered their time and talents to leverage Intel cash and technology grants, community resources, as well as additional public grants and strategic partnerships, to successfully accomplish some of Intel's education and diversity objectives. Reflecting the significant community contributions and the strength of expansion plans, the 4-H Tech Wizards program received a U.S. Congressional Award from the Black Caucus titled "Net-Generation Youth Leadership and Service Award."