Michelle Mann, Senior Group Manager, Corporate Affairs/Community Relations

Adobe Systems Incorporated 

Like many companies, Adobe is committed to helping improve the communities where it operates. Historically, Adobe’s philanthropy has focused on education, hunger and homelessness.  Recently, the company expanded its grantmaking into funding the arts.

“We believe arts organizations play an important role in helping Adobe and other Silicon Valley companies innovate and thrive,” CEO Bruce Chizen wrote in an opinion piece in the San Jose Mercury News.  “A software company's workforce is its most critical asset, and the drive for creativity and inspiration doesn't turn off at the end of the work day. Arts and cultural organizations help promote the kind of creative thinking that produces better products, more loyal customers and outstanding business performance.”

Through the Adobe Foundation Fund at Community Foundation Silicon Valley, Adobe supports a wide array of schools and nonprofit organizations in the communities worldwide where it has offices. Creativity in Education grants help youth to harness their creativity and learn critical skills.  Commitment to Community grants support the visual arts, work to reduce hunger and homelessness, aid the environment, and improve access to technology for people with disabilities.

In addition to community giving, volunteerism has a long tradition at Adobe.  “We’ve established Adobe Action Committees at various sites around the world to give employees a structure within which they can organize volunteer activities at schools and nonprofit organizations in the community,” says Michelle Mann, senior group manager, Corporate Affairs/Community Relations. “We’ve also created programs, such as the Employee Matching Gift Program and Dollars for Doers, to support the personal philanthropy and volunteer time of our employees.”