Salesforce Grants $1.6M To Help Close Opportunity Gap

Salesforce announced $1.6M in grants to five workforce development organizations across the U.S. –  Boston Private Industry Council, EmployIndy, i.c.stars, Per Scholas, Pursuit – that are providing young people from underserved and underrepresented communities with skills and technology training, career exposure and exploration opportunities, and work experiences.

These grants are the next milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to prepare the next generation of leaders with the education, skills, and professional networks they need to access and succeed in 21st century careers. These investments build on the $30M Salesforce has given to support workforce development initiatives around the world.

One of the grant recipients, i.c.stars, is a technology-based leadership and workforce development program for underrepresented and underserved adults in the Chicago area. i.c.stars exists to develop change-driven individuals to excel in technology careers and effect change as community leaders. Participants learn by doing; they build web-based applications to solve client challenges and gain the professional network needed to jumpstart their careers.