Vote for a Google.org Impact Challenge Bay Area winner

As someone who was born and raised in the Bay Area, I know nonprofits are the true backbone of our community. They help us tackle our most pressing challenges and are the lifelines for community in our moment of need. Growing up, I spent time volunteering at Martin De Porres House of Hospitality and St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen where I witnessed the impact a meal can have for those whose dignity is constantly questioned. These experiences inspired and motivated me to find a career path that would allow me to help empower organizations to change my community’s circumstances.

At Google.org, we believe that community organizations most closely connected to those in need can offer solutions to rebuild a better, more equitable Bay Area — especially as we continue to deal with the pandemic’s impact. For over 20 years, Google has called the Bay Area home and has granted over $420 million to local nonprofits; I’m proud that we’re consistently one of the largest donors in the region and that we’re building on our impact today.

Google.org’s Impact Challenge Bay Area includes $10 million in grants to 35 nonprofits, and, today, we’re sharing the top ten finalists that are eligible for the Public Choice award. These organizations are committed to efforts centered on housing and homelessness, improving access to education, offering resources for families in need, rethinking criminal justice, and so much more.

Throughout the last year and a half, we’ve seen many of our grantees step up in our communities and transform their operations to continue delivering vital services — from helping people access life-saving resources during the pandemic to rebuilding cities more equitably. Community-based organizations are critical safety nets.

Today, we’re entering the final phase of our Google.org Impact Challenge Bay Area. From November 1-14, the public can vote for the organization they believe should win the $1 million People’s Choice award. Once voting concludes, we'll announce the People’s Choice winner and the other four winners, which our panel of judges made up of local community leaders will select. The top ten finalists have each received $500,000, and five of these organizations have the opportunity to win an additional $500,000. Twenty-five other nonprofits each received $100,000 for their submission and work focused on rebuilding the Bay Area.

Now, it’s your turn to look into these organizations and vote for the one that you think most deserves the People’s Choice award.