Salesforce donates $2.5 million to STEM programs in Oakland schools

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Marc Benioff, the CEO of Saleforce, has stood behind San Francisco public schools since 2013. Now he says it's time to share the wealth with Oakland schools.

In most cases, it takes money to train students to be the best in computer science.

Cloud computing company Salesforce is giving $2.5 million to Oakland schools this year toward their STEM programs, and more.

"In addition to the money, we will be donating our technology and our people's time," said Ebony Frelix of Philanthropy and Engagement for Salesforce.

Salesforce employees will volunteer their time, paid for by the company, to help out at local schools. There will also be an innovation fund at six middle schools where the principals can use the money in areas where that technology will be best served.

The superintendent called it a game changer.

"We're already seeing an improvement in graduation rates, We're seeing improvements in terms of reducing our suspensions. But what this is going to do is it will help accelerate that progress," said Oakland schools superintendent Antwan Wilson.

Salesforce has a similar partnership with San Francisco schools dating back to 2013 when iPads were handed out. San Francisco, a larger district, will see six million this year.

"This is something we have to share with Oakland, because if Oakland succeeds, San Francisco succeeds too," said San Francisco mayor Ed Lee.

The money is not seen as a donation but as an investment in Bay Area students.

"We want to make sure that you also get off to college and graduate and have a great career. And then we want you to come back here and make Oakland even better, we want to make San Francisco even better," Benioff said.