March 09, 2023

Salesforce Stumbles, but Its Equity-Focused Philanthropy Marches On

March 09, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen

The tech giant has hit rocky terrain of late, but the company’s philanthropy continues to move millions. Its Catalyst Fund is supporting Black-led nonprofits promoting leadership and job skills for young people of color.

September 26, 2022

“Our Focus Is on the Children.” A Software Giant Ups Its Commitment to Public Schools

September 26, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen

Salesforce’s latest round of education funding zeroes in on mental health and resilient schools. It’s praiseworthy support, but begs the question: why is so much private backing for public schools even necessary?

January 12, 2022

What We Learned From a Deep Dive Into Tech Industry Giving

January 12, 2022/ Mike Scutari

We recently published an in-depth paper on the philanthropy of mega-donors hailing from the tech industry, as part of IP’s State of American Philanthropy project. Author Mike Scutari walks through some of our key takeaways.

December 09, 2021

Who Are the Next Billionaire Climate Mega-Donors?

December 09, 2021/ Michael Kavate

Growing numbers of America’s super-wealthy are wading into giving to avert the climate crisis. Here’s a list of billionaires who are just getting started in climate funding, or otherwise signaling greater potential giving ahead.

November 15, 2021

How a Public-Private Collaboration Is Providing Shelter for Homeless Students in California

November 15, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen

Blue Shield of California is supporting California’s ambitious Homekey program to provide housing for people experiencing homelessness in the Golden State. For some students, it’s been transformative.

November 11, 2021

Having a Hard Time Keeping Up with All the Recent Climate Pledges? Here’s a List

November 11, 2021/ Michael Kavate

The recent U.N. climate change summit and the U.N. General Assembly before that prompted quite a few billionaires and foundations to announce new philanthropic commitments. We’ve collected the most notable ones here.

October 21, 2019

Silicon Valley Greens: Here Are the Top Environmental Givers From Tech

October 21, 2019/ John Freund

The environment is among the many areas where tech philanthropists have emerged as a greater force in recent years, bankrolling existing green groups, but also creating some new organizations. Who’s doing what?

January 21, 2019

Addressing a Quiet Crisis: Behind a Gift for Childhood Mental Health

January 21, 2019/ Alice Dickow

A $15 million gift to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland by Marc and Lynne Benioff will address the acute shortage of mental health services for children and adolescents in Oakland and the East Bay.

October 02, 2018

More Than Money: A Tech Giant's Commitment to Public Schools

October 02, 2018/ Caitlin Reilly

Salesforce’s commitment to Bay Area schools now totals more than $50 million over the course of its five-year partnership with its local school districts. But grants aren’t the only way that the company helps.

December 15, 2016

In a Bay Area Homelessness Push, New Signs That the Tech Industry May Actually Have a Heart

December 15, 2016/ Alyssa Ochs

Does the tech industry have a social conscience? It's a fair question right now. But if this industry has a moral leader, it's philanthropist Marc Benioff, who once again is helping catalyze an anti-poverty push.

April 11, 2014

Where’s Benioff Shifting his Personal Philanthropy?

April 11, 2014/ IP Staff

Marc Benioff is an important philanthropist to watch, along with his wife Lynne. Quite apart from the big fortune here ($3 billion) and the success of his company, Salesforce, Benioff has been something of a pioneer in tech philanthropy and is a visible leader in that fast moving scene. So as he and Lynne refine their giving strategy, it's good to pay attention.