Microsoft’s Working Connections partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is a good example of a shared-value opportunity arising from investments in context. The shortage of information technology workers is a significant constraint on Microsoft’s growth; currently, there are more than 450,000 unfilled IT positions in the United States alone. Community colleges, with an enrollment of 11.6 million students, representing 45% of all U.S. undergraduates, could be major solution. Microsoft recognizes, however, that community colleges face special challenges: IT curricula are not standardized, technology used in classroom is often outdated, and there are no systematic professional development problems. In addition to contributing money and product, Microsoft sent employee volunteers to colleges to assess needs, contribute to curriculum development, and create faculty development institutes. Note that in this case, volunteers and assigned staff were able to use their core professional skill to address a social need, a far cry from typical volunteer programs. Microsoft has achieved results that have benefited many communities while having a direct- and potentially significant – impact on the company.