How Salesforce's 1-1-1 Employee Giving Model Powers People, Purpose, and AI Skills
Salesforce's 1-1-1 philanthropy model — committing 1% of equity, 1% of employee time, and 1% of product — has become a core way the company and its employees drive sustained community impact, advance AI and STEM skills, and build meaningful workplace purpose.
By embedding giving into the company's DNA, Salesforce turns everyday employee time and expertise into measurable benefits for schools, nonprofits, and communities around the world.
The 1-1-1 model: simple, scalable, and transformational
Salesforce pioneered the 1-1-1 model at its founding and uses it to institutionalize philanthropy across the business — allocating equity, employee time, and product to social impact partners and community programs.
The model is intentionally flexible: it funds direct financial support, enables paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) for employees, and donates product and technical support so nonprofits can scale digital and AI capabilities.
Volunteering that matters: time, talent, and outcomes
Salesforce employees receive paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) each year to serve causes they care about, from classroom visits and Build-a-Bear events to pro-bono technical projects that modernize nonprofit operations.
Beyond one-off events, employees deliver significant pro-bono services — translating professional skills into technology implementations, mentorship, and curriculum support that raise long-term capacity for nonprofit partners.
Scaling AI and STEM readiness
Salesforce channels its philanthropy to emerging priorities such as AI and STEM education, supporting programs that prepare students for AI-era jobs and help educators bring tech-forward learning into classrooms.
Through direct volunteering and funded initiatives, employees help run AI literacy workshops, mentor students in career-aligned learning, and support nonprofits that bridge the digital divide.
Impact at scale
Salesforce reports millions of volunteer hours and hundreds of thousands of pro-bono hours delivered globally — outcomes that reflect both employee engagement and measurable value delivered to nonprofit partners.
Embedding philanthropy into the company's operating model has also been linked to stronger employee engagement and retention: employees often report a deeper sense of purpose when participating in Employee Impact programs.
How companies can adopt a 1-1-1 mindset
- Start small, commit consistently: Even modest pledges of time and product can scale if embedded into company policies early.
- Prioritize skills-based volunteering: Encourage employees to contribute professional expertise (engineering, product, AI) as pro-bono services to nonprofits.
- Measure and share outcomes: Track volunteer hours, product donations, and partner impact to demonstrate value and refine programs.
- Align with strategic social priorities: Focus on areas where your company's technology and talent provide the most leverage — e.g., AI skills, education, or climate.
Real stories: turning hallways into learning spaces
Concrete examples show how the model plays out in practice: on a recent visit to Salesforce Tower, elementary students assembled Build-a-Bear toys while employees helped run learning activities — a small event that reflects a broader commitment to community connection and youth enrichment.
Practical checklist for your organization
- Offer paid VTO and a simple process for booking volunteer days.
- Implement an employee matching gifts program to magnify personal donations.
- Create pro-bono pathways so employees can apply skills to nonprofit projects (e.g., sprint-style engagements).
- Donate product credits and provide technical onboarding to nonprofit partners.
- Partner with local schools and workforce programs to scale AI and STEM learning opportunities.
Publish-ready author bio
About the author: [Your Name] is an expert in Salesforce strategy and AI-enabled social impact, helping organizations design employee giving and skills programs that scale community outcomes.