Published via T: 2014-02-03 19:51:22
When we started the 1/1/1, we only had one employee: me. When we started our company, we said we were always going to be about giving back right from the beginning. And maybe that’s because I’m from San Francisco, but I know that that’s important and I think some of these new entrepreneurs need to be just reminded of that. And I think that this kind of tide will be turned if these tech companies, the entrepreneurs, everyday employees, give back to the city. When you see them out there in the schools, in the homeless shelters, you see them in the hospitals, then everyone will appreciate them. If you only see them behind their Google buses, then you’ve got a problem.
My Two Cents
Marc Benioff and Salesforce's 1/1/1 program was started when it was just Marc Benioff and a new business idea called Salesforce out of his apartment in SF. 1/1/1 is 1% of equity, 1% of profits and time - all to philanthropy. Current market cap is $35+ billion. That means Marc Benioff and Salesforce have committed over $350 million to philanthropy. Very impressive Mr. Benioff.
