(IDE - Get it? It's a developer pun.)

When Susan and I were asked to participate in this race and choose a charity, the choice was obvious – The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Susan and I have a connection with the organization, and know the work they do.

What we didn’t know, however, was their donation policy. As it turns out, their focus is for donations from individuals rather than from organizations or entities, which this race certainly qualifies as. (I suppose there’s also something to be said about a Microsoft sponsored event donating to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation looking a bit odd.) With that, we were asked that rather than donating to the Foundation directly, we donate to one of their grantees instead.

Because of the multinational makeup of our team, we wanted to find an organization that does international work. This led us to International Development Enterprises (IDE), who strives to create income opportunities for poor, rural households. IDE is a social enterprise dedicated to ending poverty in the developing world not through handouts, but by helping farm families access the tools and knowledge they need to increase their income. They operate in 11 countries worldwide, including a couple we have personal connections with.

Trying to decide what charity to give $10,000 to should when we win the race is a daunting and humbling task. We think IDE does amazing work and we’re very excited to be racing for them. We appreciate your continued support – we couldn’t do it without you!