What You Should Know:
– Marc and Lynne Benioff, alongside Salesforce, an AI CRM, today announced a massive philanthropic commitment to the Bay Area community.
– The Benioffs are donating $100M to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals to expand and modernize pediatric care. This gift is part of a combined $139 million in new support from the Benioffs and Salesforce, pushing their total community contributions in the Bay Area past the $1 billion mark.
Deep-Rooted Commitment to Local Community
The funding, announced ahead of the company’s annual Dreamforce conference, is strategically aimed at securing the region’s future—advancing lifesaving healthcare for children and equipping young people and educators with the resources needed to succeed in the era of agentic AI. Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, emphasized the personal and corporate responsibility inherent in their leadership position within the technology sector.
“As a fourth-generation San Franciscan, I’ve always believed in our responsibility to invest deeply in our local community,” said Benioff. “The San Francisco Bay Area is the AI capital of the world. With that leadership comes a responsibility not only to innovate, but to secure the future of our community – ensuring that every child has access to world-class healthcare, safe and welcoming public parks and spaces, and a great education to flourish in the AI era.”
Strengthening Lifesaving Pediatric Care at UCSF
The cornerstone of the announcement is the $100 million donation from Marc and Lynne Benioff directed to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. This crucial funding will support the construction of a new state-of-the-art facility and renovations in Oakland, California, significantly expanding care access and modernization for children and families across the region.
“At UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, we believe world-class health care should be available to children and families of all needs and backgrounds,” said Nicholas Holmes, MD, MBA, President of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. “The Benioffs’ and Salesforce’s sustained support helps us realize that vision, by expanding and modernizing our pediatric facilities, launching new initiatives in our communities, and providing life-changing care for thousands of children each year.”
The philanthropic efforts will continue at the company’s annual conference, Dreamforce. The event’s Dreamfest, featuring performances from Metallica and Benson Boone, aims to raise an additional $9M for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
Furthermore, as part of the Dreamforce Gives philanthropic activation, attendees can participate in a pop-a-shot basketball challenge. For every basket scored, Salesforce will donate $5 dollars to the Golden State Community Foundation and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, with the activation featuring dignitaries like Mayor Lurie and Golden State Warriors player Festus Ezeli.
