By: Marqeta
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Last year, as the pandemic raged and Black Lives Matter called attention to systemic racism and violence, we asked ourselves what we could do to support resilience in the communities where we live and work.
The global pandemic left our communities in a fragile state. Underserved and underrepresented neighborhoods were particularly hard hit. Last spring, we launched our Oaklanders Supporting Oaklanders initiative, and today we are deepening our commitment with a ten-year equity set aside.
We are establishing the Marqeta Cares Charitable Giving Program, which will allow us to expand our support for community organizations focused on advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within startups and tech, providing meaningful career opportunities, increasing access to technology, and closing the education gap.
We are committing 400,000 company shares over the next ten years to fund the program, and we have separately committed more than $300,000 in initial support to nine nonprofits.
“The communities that we work in every day are of primary importance to Marqeta. As we’ve grown into a global company, we want to have a significant positive impact in the world, especially in the communities that we are a part of,” said Jason Gardner, founder and CEO of Marqeta.
“Marqeta Cares has always been a company value for us, and we’re excited to establish it now as its own well-resourced program dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our communities. From the Black Lives Matter movement, to the significant disruption to America’s tradition of welcoming immigrants, and the massive global upheaval brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, right now it is more important than ever for companies like Marqeta to stand up and support people and communities in need.”
Marqeta is proud to support the following organizations:
The Hidden Genius Project — Oakland-based The Hidden Genius Project seeks to reveal the true potential of black male youth and transform their communities from the inside out. They offer an intensive immersion program and series of workshops throughout the year focused on technology training, entrepreneurship, problem solving, and leadership skills.
College Track Oakland — College Track is a comprehensive college completion program whose purpose is to democratize potential through the power of education. Since 2002, College Track Oakland reports having served 500 students and 180 alumni.
OneGoal Bay Area — OneGoal aims to address the degree divide that exists for low-income communities and people of color. Its three-year program starts in the 11th grade and provides a school-based curriculum and personalized support.
Code Nation Bay Area — Code Nation equips students in under-resourced high schools with skills, experiences, and connections that together create access to careers in technology. Its volunteer corps of 300 technology professionals offer coding courses and work-based learning programs.
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) — NFTE empowers young people to own their own futures. Its effective entrepreneurship education teaches middle and high school students how to be their own boss, create a business, and pitch to investors.
Beyond 12 — Beyond 12 helps high schools, college-access programs, and colleges provide students with academic, social, and emotional support through a technology platform and personalized coaching. They report currently coaching 2,000 students at 180 college campuses.
Ever Forward Club — Founded in 2004 in the Bay Area, the Ever Forward Club mentors young men in middle and high school by providing them with safe, brave communities that build character and transform lives. Since 2010, they report realizing a 100% graduation rate of seniors from high school.
IntoUniversity — IntoUniversity offers local learning centers that bring higher education within reach of students from the U.K.’s most disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2019, IntoUniversity reported working with 42,000 students across 300 schools.
Blueprint for all — Formerly the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, U.K.-based Blueprint for all works with young people aged 13 to 30 to address disparities of opportunity, inspire, and enable young people to succeed in the career of their choice. Programs include career guidance and scholarships.
Read the original announcement HERE.
