Since 1968, Intel’s technology has been at the heart of computing breakthroughs. As an industry leader creating world-changing technology, enabling global progress and enriching lives, Intel stands at the brink of many technological innovations — technology that not only shapes our future but also shapes humanity.
Whether artificial intelligence, 5G network transformation or the rise of the intelligent edge, Intel and its silicon and software solutions are at the core of driving many of the world’s most transformative inflections. And Arizona has been a vital component to Intel’s ability to create the world-changing technology that we have all come to depend upon. Today, 40 years after Intel launched operations in this state, Arizona is Intel’s first mega-factory network and home to its newest, leading-edge manufacturing facility, Fab 42.
Even with its booming success, Intel is about much more than technology. It seeks to create a more responsible, inclusive and sustainable future enabled by its employees, its technology and its collective actions. Looking through a lens of inclusive factors, Intel is focused on the future. Intel searches for methods to ensure this sustainable vision reaches its potential as the company plans new buildings and develop new technologies.
Intel recognizes that a thriving community fosters success in many forms. Consequently, it has created community outreach efforts that are integral to the company’s overall success. Established in 1988, The Intel Foundation was formed to drive these larger societal commitments. The mission is simple: Give back to the community.
Through both the foundation and structured corporate citizen programs, Intel is impacting change in a variety of ways. Intel’s global corporate volunteer program — Intel Involved — matches volunteers with worthwhile opportunities for community service. Intel employees generously donate their technology expertise, other skills and time to address environmental challenges, improve education and help meet other community needs. Through volunteerism, Intel is able to reach a wide audience across diverse communities and contribute to meaningful projects.
The Intel Involved Matching Grant Program, funded by the Intel Foundation, extends the impact of volunteerism by donating cash to qualified nonprofits and schools where Intel employees and retirees volunteer at least 20 hours of service in a year. As Liz Shipley, Intel Arizona public affairs director, shares, “It is an Intel Value to be an inclusive, great place to work, and an asset to our communities worldwide. We are always looking to partner with our neighbors and local business owners to build meaningful relationships so that we can continuously learn, develop and improve.”
Recognizing its position as a leader within the semiconductor industry, Intel understands that implementing efforts to positively impact communities is essential to the future of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) innovation. “With over 40 years of history in Arizona, Intel is honored to use our role in the state’s technology sphere to amplify the voices, lived experiences and professional expertise of Arizonans statewide who will help propel our industry towards a more diverse and inclusive future,” shares Jennifer Sanchez, community affairs manager at Intel Arizona.
Through the combination of the foundation’s strategic grants and the company’s skilled volunteers Intel is able to support valuable change-making programs globally. Frank Narducci, superintendent of Chandler Unified School District, says, “For every Intel Foundation grant we receive, whether it is $10,000 or $100,000, we get that same level of partnership and guidance. Our work with them just keeps expanding and growing because, with the Intel Foundation, it’s never one and done.” Through these strategic giving efforts, the Intel Foundation has created a legacy of impact with a firm belief in building a more equitable society.
Intel has set itself apart through the life-changing power of technology and learning, which its corporate social responsibility efforts are committed to. Through support of long-running events such as the International Science and Engineering Fair, computer clubhouses to expand after-school education, and the Intel Teach program, which trains teachers on how to integrate technology into the classroom and prepare students for the digital world, Intel is impacting positive change from several different angles.
Whether investing in education and promoting broad economic development initiatives, or working hand-in-hand with neighbors, Intel has long been committed to applying technology and the talents of its employees to broaden access to opportunity and be an asset to communities.
In fact, Intel sponsors a variety of events across different communities. The company is always looking to highlight initiatives that align with its mission and values. Community outreach is at the forefront of Intel’s focus to better its local communities through impactful change.
One of the key philanthropic ventures the Intel Foundation has worked on since 2000 is with Chandler Unified School District. Intel is one of the largest employers in Chandler, Arizona, and the relationship between Intel and the school district has been established over time. Today, the Foundation and the School District partner closely and have greatly expanded access to STEM education to reach all students within the district.
The impact of this work can be seen through the improvement of science testing scores over the last five years. Intel has also led an Equity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics (STEAM) initiative in partnership with YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix to advance women and people of color across STEAM careers. The Equity in STEAM initiative is geared at providing an equal opportunity for all students, from all schools, in all areas to promote equal opportunities to learn STEAM subjects.
Through hands-on, project-based activities, programs such as Project Lead the Way have been launched. This initiative inspires and supports students at several Chandler Unified School District elementary schools to solve real challenges and think of themselves as innovators. In addition to providing funding for the program startup costs, Intel encourages its employees to volunteer in the classroom.
Intel also supports A for Arizona, a program of the Arizona Chamber Foundation, which seeks to rapidly expand the number of low-income students in the highest quality schools and have close partnerships with both Chandler Unified School District and Kyrene Elementary School District to support STEM education for students through a combination of grants, volunteer opportunities and more.
Intel’s support of the community is an all-encompassing commitment. Members of Intel’s leadership team serve on a variety of nonprofit and community boards. While individual employees are encouraged to be active within their communities by participating in local nonprofit and charitable organizations. Intel has programs and initiatives that aid in all these endeavors, amplifying the impact Intel is able to make in communities abroad and near to home.
Intel’s Commitment to Closing the Gender Gap
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Intel® She Will Connect: The Intel® She Will Connect initiative connects middle school girls to hands-on technology experiences that inspire them to become innovators and encourage their interests in technology, engineering and computer science. Through new partnerships and collaborations, Intel is expanding the program across the U.S. and into other countries.
WiSci STEAM Camps: Women in Science (WiSci) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) camps — developed through a partnership between Intel, the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations Girl Up campaign — aim to bridge inequity gaps in technology. The Intel Foundation supports the camps, where Intel volunteers use Intel Future Skills curriculum and enable girls around the world to experience robotics, drones, coding, AI, leadership training, mentorship and friendship.
Million Girls Moonshot: In 2020, the Intel Foundation, STEM Next Opportunity Fund and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation joined forces with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to launch the Million Girls Moonshot. The Intel Foundation has committed $1 million to scale the effort, which aims to equip 1 million more girls from under-resourced U.S. communities with an engineering mindset. The initiative uses the Intel Future Skills curriculum, and Intel volunteers share their technology expertise with participants in after-school and summer STEM programs.
The Moonshot will be active in out-of-school programs in all 50 states, leveraging the Mott-funded 50 State Afterschool Network, which has access to more than 10 million youth and 100,000 afterschool programs across the country.
The Million Girls Moonshot shines a national spotlight on girls in STEM, spurring actions and solutions aimed at positively changing the way girls engage in STEM, and inspiring them to become builders, innovators, makers and problem solvers.
Intel Foundation Priorities
In collaboration with schools and nonprofit public and private organizations, Intel contributes thought leadership and funds to deploy innovative programs that support underserved populations. Intel recognizes the value in being of service during times of need. As Liz Shipley, Intel Arizona public affairs director, shares, “In 2020, Intel gave $1 million to the Arizona Community Foundation to help vulnerable residents directly impacted by COVID-19. Our employees contributed to a COVID-19 relief campaign matched by the Intel Foundation, which raised $350,000 to help those working on Arizona’s frontlines of the pandemic.”
Intel prioritizes:
- Promoting STEM Education — Recognizing the life-changing power of technology and learning, Intel champions STEM experiences for underrepresented groups to help ensure that the next generation of innovators is diverse and inclusive.
- Responding to Crisis — Intel matches employee donations to support people and communities when crises arise and provide options for employees to make their donation count where and when they are needed most.
- Amplifying Employee Generosity — To increase the impact of Intel employees’ efforts to address global challenges and community needs, Intel matches funds to schools and nonprofit organizations where Intel employees and retires volunteer and make donations.
Intel’s Giving Numbers
- Established in 1988, the Intel Foundation has provided more than $731 million into local communities across the United States and around the world.
- Since 1995, Intel employees and retirees have contributed nearly 18 million volunteer hours, resulting in $122 million in matching grants.
- In 2020, Intel and the Intel Foundation provided more than $5.7 million to support Arizona-based organizations.
- Over the last decade, Intel employees have volunteered more than 10 million hours in the community.
- Arizona Intel employees have volunteered more than 550,000 hours to support Arizona schools and nonprofits in just the last five years.
- Over the last five years, Intel’s program has granted $43 million in matching grants to local schools and nonprofits.
AVP of Corporate Social Impact at Weedmaps, Tyler Butler is a corporate responsibility practitioner, social impact professional and contributor for several media outlets. She is a social impact executive who is passionate about sustainability. She is certified in ESG and corporate citizenship and holds degrees from ASU and Boston College.
Photos courtesy of Intel
