More than $10 million committed to fight poverty in Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty tech and business leaders are partnering with Tipping Point Community, the Bay Area's leading poverty-fighting organization since 2005, to raise $10 million to fight poverty.

Apple, Box, Dropbox, Google, IfOnly, Jawbone, Jelly, Levi Strauss & Co., LinkedIn, Lookout, Microsoft, Okta, Partner Fund Management, POPSUGAR, RPX Corporation, Salesforce Foundation, SV Angel, Workday Foundation, Zynga, and one anonymous company are founding members and serve on the campaign's steering committee.

"We are humbled by the generosity we've seen from some of the region's most influential leaders on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our community," said Daniel Lurie, CEO + Founder of Tipping Point. "Meeting this challenge is just the beginning of our collaboration. These companies are dedicated to fighting poverty long-term and finding solutions that work for Bay Area families in need."

Initially designed as a $10 million challenge for 20 companies in 60 days, the campaign doesn't end today. SF Gives members anticipate new growth and individual engagement as more Bay Area businesses answer the challenge to build a better Bay Area for all residents. Funds will be used to educate, employ, house and support the Bay Area's 1.3 million people who are too poor to meet their basic needs. To learn more about SF Gives, companies can visit www.sf-gives.org.   

"This new revenue means we can reach more people and truly begin to break the cycle of homelessness in our city," said Gail Gilman, executive director of Community Housing Partnership and a Tipping Point grantee. "It means fewer families will have to choose between rent or food on the table. It means a second chances for many more of our neighbors."

SF Gives enables Tipping Point to implement these proven solutions in the Bay Area:

• Design, implement and scale new approaches to early childhood education, affordable childcare and prisoner re-entry with new cohorts of problem solvers housed in Tipping Point's research & development engine, T Lab
• Invest in local poverty-fighting solutions and scale for greater impact
• Increase access to technology in underserved communities and implement initiatives that prevent homelessness
• Support capital projects that promote best-in-class facilities, technology and operations at Tipping Point grantees

"When I look at this list, I see a group of companies committed to doing what's right for San Francisco," said Jay Banfield, founding executive director of Year Up and Tipping Point grantee. "For years, many of them have been working with Year Up to provide access to technology careers for low-income young adults. It makes sense that these companies would partner with Tipping Point Community, the most effective, innovative and disruptive force fighting poverty in the Bay Area."

Tipping Point's Board underwrites all operating costs, and 100% of the $10 million raised will go directly to the most effective education, employment, housing and health organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to the flexible funding provided, Tipping Point helps grantees increase their impact with professional communications, technical and management assistance at no cost to donors.

About Tipping Point Community
Tipping Point Community screens non-profits rigorously to find, fund and partner with the most effective organizations serving Bay Area individuals and families in need. Tipping Point's board underwrites all operating and fundraising expenses so that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly toward the fight against poverty. Since 2005, Tipping Point has raised more than $60 million and has reached nearly 250,000 people in need. More information about Tipping Point Community is available at www.tippingpoint.org.

SOURCE Tipping Point Community