Salesforce Awards $27 Million in Education Grants

Salesforce announced $27 million in new education grants ahead of its annual Dreamforce conference. The package includes $18 million directed to public school districts in San Francisco, Oakland, New York City, Chicago, and Indianapolis. The remaining $9 million will support nonprofit organizations that focus on teacher development, artificial intelligence literacy, and career preparation.

The fresh capital expands on 14 years of direct work with schools. To date, Salesforce has contributed more than $180 million to public schools nationwide, with $156 million going to the San Francisco Bay Area. In local results, math teacher coaching drove an eight-point gain in Oakland standardized test scores, while San Francisco middle school math proficiency rose nearly 8% since 2022. Across both districts, the company's funding has brought computer science instruction to more than 130,000 students.

Under its 1-1-1 philanthropic model, Salesforce commits 1% of its equity, technology, and employee time to charitable efforts. Over more than 27 years, the company has delivered $970 million in total grants, while employees have logged nearly 11 million volunteer hours. Alongside its grant funding, Salesforce relaunched an Adopt-a-School initiative covering more than 25 public schools, including 15 middle schools in the Bay Area, and plans global expansion in fiscal 2028.

Combined contributions to the Bay Area from Salesforce and its founders Marc and Lynne Benioff now exceed $1 billion. That total includes more than $285 million for area public schools and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, alongside more than $13 million dedicated to San Francisco public safety. This year's Dreamfest benefit concert is expected to raise over $9 million, bringing its cumulative hospital fundraising past $140 million.