Hurricane Katrina devastated several states along the Gulf Coast region in what turned out to be one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Eighteen months last, the affected areas still find themselves struggling to rebuild their respective communities and revitalize their local economies.

In an attempt to give these areas a helping hand, Microsoft announced today its intention to donate $1.7 million in cash, software and specialized curriculum to nonprofit partners in Louisiana and Texas.

Yahoo co-founder David Filo originally hails from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and contributed an account of his company’s sponsored Back in Business with Yahoo event in New Orleans.