SAN FRANCISCO — On Thursday, software technology company Okta announced a grant to Fast Forward, an organization that invests in nonprofit technology entrepreneurs, as part of its commitment to the Pledge 1% movement.
Launched in 2014, Pledge 1% aims to bring a culture of giving to technology companies by providing them with a pathway into early stage corporate philanthropy. In 2016, Okta became one of a growing number of companies that have made a commitment to donate 1 percent of their product, time, profit, or equity to any charity of their choosing. The following year, Okta had an initial public offering, and the company has since expanded its social impact initiative — Okta for Good — into a donor-advised fund that offers products, support from employees, and grants to nonprofits.
On the occasion of its Oktane18 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week, Devex asked the technology company and its nonprofit partners what advice they have for engaging with Pledge 1% companies. They emphasized that technology companies have more to offer than just money in their corporate philanthropy.