Wipfli recognized as 2021 Microsoft Nonprofit Partner of the Year

Wipfli LLP, a U.S.-based consulting and accounting firm, was named 2021 Microsoft Nonprofit Partner of the Year. Wipfli was selected among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementing customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based solutions during the past year. Awards were classified into categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,400 nominations across more than 100 countries worldwide.

“We are honored to receive this inaugural award. This global recognition is a testament to the needs of nonprofits and Wipfli’s commitment to the sector, and it’s a well-deserved recognition for our associates who dedicate their time and talents toward community and social impact. We are fortunate to have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to help our clients’ missions every day,” said Ryan Risley, who leads Wipfli’s chief information officer advisory practice.

The nonprofit industry is one of the fastest growing within Microsoft with one of the highest cloud mixes. This is the first year Microsoft designated a nonprofit industry partner category.

“I am honored to announce the winners and finalists of the 2021 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards,” said Rodney Clark, corporate vice president, Global Partner Solutions, Channel Sales and Channel Chief, Microsoft. “These remarkable partners have displayed a deep commitment to building world-class solutions for customers — from cloud-to-edge — and represent some of the best and brightest our ecosystem has to offer.”

Wipfli was recognized for its work with nonprofits around the world and the Nonprofit Tech Acceleration program for Black and African American Communities in the United States.

One of those visionary nonprofits is The Contingent, an Oregon-based organization that helps foster children, formerly incarcerated individuals, students of color and other under-represented groups. By supporting The Contingent’s digital transformation journey – using Microsoft Dynamics 365, Marketing, the Power Platform and Power Apps – Wipfli helped The Contingent launch new programs and expand services for communities of color.

Wipfli has contributed their extensive work with nonprofit volunteer management to the Common Data Model for Nonprofits, as well as the basis core capabilities for the Microsoft Cloud for Nonprofit.  By doing so, Wipfli set the standard for in-kind technology transfers of intellectual property so nonprofits can focus with Wipfli on their differentiation rather than a base of capabilities to meet their missions.

“Wipfli has a long history of working with nonprofit partners to help them grow what's possible using cutting-edge tools to expand our clients' capabilities,” said Kurt Gresens, Wipfli’s managing partner. “It's a distinct honor to be recognized by Microsoft for the outstanding work our teams do to deliver technology solutions that enable outcomes. We look forward to our continued partnership with Microsoft to build a better future for all people across the globe.”

Wipfli will be recognized at the digital Microsoft Inspire Conference on July 14-15, 2021.