Applied Materials’ Education Initiative Aims to Increase Graduation Rates and Student Success

The forthcoming 2015 Community Involvement Survey illustrates that many companies are addressing relevant social issues, with a prominent focus on K-12 education. The survey shows that nearly 55 percent of companies include education among their top issues for attention and investment.  With nearly 20 percent of students failing to graduate on time, or at all, corporations are making investments to try and increase student achievement and graduation rates for a more educated workforce.

In order to be effective at moving the needle on one social issue, Applied Materials made the decision to focus the majority of its strategic grantmaking in education programs in their local communities. In 2001, Applied Materials launched its Education Initiative, a long-term investment strategy focused on improving the academic performance of students in the under-performing San Jose, California and Central Texas neighborhoods where Applied Materials operates. The goal of the Education Initiative is to increase the number of students who graduate from high school and are prepared for college. By targeting the entire educational pathway, from pre-school through college acceptance, Applied Materials is supporting the work of education organizations that are making strides to close the achievement gap.

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