Originally published at Salesforce.com.
As Salesforce and Slack come together to create the digital HQ, helping companies adapt to a new work-from-anywhere world, they are also committed to creating a more just and equitable society.
When Salesforce completed its acquisition, Slack donated $54M, the balance of the value of its Pledge 1% share reserve, to the Salesforce Foundation, solidifying the change both companies can make together. The Salesforce Foundation helps young people reach their full potential by supporting Education and Workforce Development programs. To date, Salesforce has given more than $475M to support communities in need around the world.
Both Salesforce and Slack are deeply committed to Pledge 1%, a global movement co-founded by Salesforce, to inspire, educate, and empower all businesses to leverage their assets and make social impact an integral part of their company. A pledge can include any combination of product, equity, profit, or time to any charity of their choice.
Since 2014, more than 12,000 companies in over 100 countries have joined the Pledge 1% movement. These companies have generated more than $1 billion in new philanthropy and continue to go above and beyond initial commitments as crises arise.
For instance, in May, a global coalition of Pledge 1% companies responded to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in India by unlocking over $28M worth of donations to provide medical supplies, food relief, and vaccine awareness and distribution.
Slack for Good, which includes Slack’s commitment to increase the number of historically underrepresented individuals in the technology industry, will continue to be a part of Slack, and its strategic grant-making will be integrated into the Salesforce Foundation.
Committing to a culture of philanthropy
Giving back isn’t just about giving money. Salesforce takes a holistic approach by putting the full power of the company behind its philanthropic model. This includes amplifying impact through grants, employee engagement, partnerships, and technology.
In fact, Salesforce employees are the driving force behind how the company contributes to improving the world. Citizen philanthropy is Salesforce’s approach to giving back via employee engagement and is centered on the belief that individuals have the power to make a difference through their time, talent, and resources. Salesforce offers 56 hours of paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) each year for employees, and this program has resulted in 6.2M volunteer hours over the years. And now, Slack employees will be able to participate in Salesforce’s VTO program as well to drive further impact in communities in which we live and work.
More than 52,000 nonprofits, educational institutions, and philanthropic organizations use Salesforce for social good, and Slack offers free or discounted software to nonprofits through its Slack for Nonprofits program. Together, Salesforce and Slack are committed to opening the doors of opportunity so that everyone has equal access to a quality education, a meaningful career, and the ability to reach their full potential.
Learn more about the Salesforce Foundation here.
