Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and CEO Steve Ballmer have each donated $100,00 to Washington United for Marriage, the coalition of groups working to uphold the state's gay marriage law.

According to The Associated Press, the contributions were received on Friday and reported to the state Public Disclosure Commission on Monday.

The marriage law, which was approved by lawmakers at the urging of Governor Chris Gregoire, was set to take effect last month but it was put on hold when opponents turned in more than twice the number of signatures needed to put the law up to a public referendum.

“It's going to make a tremendous difference,” Zach Silk, campaign manager for Washington United for Marriage, said about the contributions. “It's very important for us to have that broad support from business leaders and companies themselves.”

Also Friday, Brad Smith, general counsel for Microsoft, made a $25,000 donation to the campaign.

Microsoft was among the Washington-based companies which supported passage of the law. Also endorsing marriage equality were Nike, Starbucks, Google and Amazon.