Apple Donates More Than $50 Million To Bring More Diversity in Tech

Apple is donating more than $50 million to organizations that aim to get more women, minorities and veterans working in tech, according to a report by Fortune.

"We wanted to create opportunities for minority candidates to get their first job at Apple," said Young Smith, Apple's human resources chief. "There is tremendous upside to that and we are dogged about the fact that we can't innovate without being diverse and inclusive."

Apple is partnering with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, a non-profit that supports students enrolled in public, historically black colleges and universities (known as HBCUs) which includes schools such as North Carolina A&T State University, Howard University, and Grambling State University.

"Historically, other organizations have provided scholarship dollars or focused on whatever area matters most to them," said Johnny Taylor, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. "What differentiates this partnership with Apple is that it hits on everything that we do-it is the most comprehensive program ever offered to an HBCU organization."

Taylor noted that the donation is the largest yet. Over $40 million has been committed by Apple which will be used to create a database of computer science majors at HBCUs, train both students and faculty and offer scholarships. The Cupertino based company will also create paid internship program for particularly promising students.

The report added that Apple is also partnering with another non-profit, the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT), to help create a broader pipeline of female technology workers.