Earlier this week, Apple made an announcement that they are contributing $50 million to select nonprofit organizations in order to encourage minority group individuals to work towards a career in technology. As revealed in an exclusive interview with Fortune, this effort to increase the presence of women, minorities & veterans in tech jobs is more than just that; it’s an effort to provide focus and impact in the nonprofit sector as a whole.
The money, says head of Apple’s human resources Denise Young Smith, is going to nonprofits who are not associated with Apple directly; such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the National Center for Women and Information Technology.
Apple CEO Tim Cook states that, “We are making progress and we’re committed to being as innovative in advancing diversity as we are in developing our products.”
Apple is also in talks with military organizations to develop a program that trains military veterans who may be interested in technology careers after their service. Young Smith stated that the effects of these investments most likely won’t be seen right away, but in the next few years and beyond, Apple hopes to increase diversity for the broader technology industry, not just for its own workforce.
The nonprofits that are currently receiving these funds reflect on the power of this investment. Johnny Taylor, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, states, “What differentiates this partnership with Apple is that it hits on everything that we do- it is the most comprehensive program ever offered to an [historically black colleges and universities] organization.”
Overall, the message Apple is sending, according to Taylor, is that there are some really talented individuals at these HBCU schools. The focus is not so much on the dollar amount of this investment, but rather the “thoughtful” approach, as Young Smith refers to it.
Apple is not the only large organization donating large sums to these nonprofits; Google, Microsoft, Symantec, Wal-Mart, and the National Basketball Association are also all big players in the nonprofit realm. This shows a promising trend for those in the nonprofit sector, such as your clients.
At Charity First, we understand the risks your nonprofit industry face. We offer comprehensive Nonprofit Liability Insurance policies to ensure they are financially prepared should they be hit with a claim. Please contact us today at (800) 352-2761 to learn more about the programs we offer for the nonprofit sector and beyond.