Silicon Valley gives to charities, but community leaders want more

Despite grumbling from some community leaders, Silicon Valley companies have contributed to philanthropic causes.

In May, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation raised nearly $8 million over 24 hours to benefit local charities. At the same time, 20 companies -- including Apple, Google, Dropbox, Box and Jawbone -- partnered with Tipping Point, an anti-poverty organization in the Bay Area, to raise $10 million. The giving extends beyond donations and personal time. TrustTheVote Project, based in Palo Alto, is developing software technology to "improve the process and experience of voting," says Gregory Miller, the project's executive director and former strategic marketer at Netscape Communications.

"Tech executives increasingly understand the urgency of helping the community around them," says Rep Jackie Speier (D-CA) whose district includes a large chunk of Silicon Valley. "But there could be more: Economic inequality is the No. 1 issue in this area."