How to Give Back at Dreamforce

Cross-posted from Salesforce

When Marc Benioff started Salesforce, he was inspired in part by General Colin Powell to integrate philanthropy into his business. So as Salesforce was being formed, Salesforce.org was born. The Salesforce.org is based on a simple idea: leverage Salesforce’s product, resources, and people to improve communities throughout the world. The Salesforce.org is an organization with a sustainable business model, driven by a social change mission, with community engagement for social good at its core.

Marc’s simple, but powerful vision for integrated philanthropy has become known as the 1–1–1 model as 1% of product, 1% of founding equity, and 1% of employees’ time are giving back to the community.

Little did he know that some 15 years later, that vision would translate into:

Salesforce brings this model directly to Dreamforce. Learn how here:

Nonprofits and Higher Ed at Dreamforce

We all know that Dreamforce is huge, but did you know that it’s also the largest Nonprofit Technology Conference in the world? This year, more than 8,000 will register, representing nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and grant-making foundations across the US and 20 other countries. The center of the action will be in the Foundation Zone in the Marriott Marquis where more than 120 industry-focused breakout sessions, tons of hands-on trainings, and interactive sessions will take place, in addition to networking and additional programming in the Foundation Zone Theater including live demos. Within the Foundation Zone there is also a specialized expo featuring 28 partners with deep experience on addressing the needs of nonprofits and higher education institutions.

Additional programming in the Foundation Zone includes live demos on topics such as fundraising, recruitment, social advocacy, and communities, as well as customer stories. Don’t forget to check out the Genius Bar — Social Impact Office Hours where folks can go to get advice and learn best practices from some of the top social innovation minds, including MVPs!

Onsite Volunteering Opportunities

All 4 days of Dreamforce will highlight a different theme. Every day on the Dreampark our attendees can get involved with some of these amazing organizations and have an opportunity to give back to our communities.

Tuesday, 10am-12pm: Veterans

For the fourth year in a row, we’re putting together “Night-Night” kits on the Dreampark with our friends Project Night-Night. Our goal is to put together at least 3,000 kits that include a new security blanket, children’s book, and a stuffed animal. These packages are donated to children of homeless Veterans to help them feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and special.

Wednesday, 9am-11am: Education

Wednesday is all about education. We are building a schoolhouse on campus and working with Talk, Read, Sing to support early childhood learning. The program, sponsored by Hillary Clinton, encourages parents to spend more time talking, singing, and reading to their young children. We’ll work to put together 2,000 totes that include items to promote this game-changing initiative.

Thursday, 9am-4pm: Women in Tech & Health

Thursday the focus is on Health and Women in Tech. There will be coding classes lead by partner organizations looking to bridge the gender gap in STEM. For health, bring out your inner artist, and help us create murals for UCSF Children’s Hospital in Oakland. Let’s brighten the walls of the hospital with Splashes of Hope.

Friday, 11:30am-1:30pm: Environment

Last, but not least, since sustainability will be everywhere at Dreamforce, Friday is Environmental Day. Employees can sign up to be a Green Angel and help educate attendees about various sustainability initiatives throughout the campus. And attendees can sign up in agenda builder to work with a Salesforce employee during lunchtime to help reduce waste at Dreamforce!

Giving Back at the Gala

For the third year in the row, we are hosting the UCSF Benefit Concert for Kids as part of the Dreamfest concert. This is a great opportunity to ‘upgrade’ your Dreamfest experience, or to invite a guest along, by purchasing a ticket to the Benefit. Tickets are limited, and include a VIP section at the Gala and an exclusive after party. All proceeds benefit the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. Limited tickets are still available at www.theconcertforkids.com.

One Million Book Drive

At Dreamforce, we always do things bigger and better. This year, our Dreamforce community will come together to donate, fundraise, and volunteer to deliver more than 1 million books to schools and libraries around the world. We’re focusing on materials for grades K-12 and ask that you help us reach this goal. You can donate online at donate.dfgives.org or text BOOKS to 27722. We also ask that you bring a book to Dreamforce.

Last year, attendees made history by helping donate three million meals for the hungry; help us make this year just as impactful.

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Did you miss this week’s episode of The Road to Dreamforce: Giving Back? Join Rob Acker, CEO, Salesforce.org and Ebony Frelix, VP, Philanthropy and Engagement as they get you up to speed on Salesforce.org, how the Salesforce 1:1:1 model is embedded in Dreamforce, and highlight all the great stuff available for non-profits during all four days. Meet very special guest Mark Laret, ‎CEO at UCSF Medical Center, and hear how UCSF Health has been embraced by Salesforce, and how they are embracing technology. Stay tuned to learn how you can be sustainable at Dreamforce with Salesforce Sustainability Coordinator, Sunya Ojure.

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