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Board recognizes Zendesk for early community benefits work in Mid‑Market
Summary
Supervisor Kim commended Zendesk as the first tech company to sign a community benefits agreement in Mid‑Market; the company and partners highlighted hires, internships and food‑security collaborations with local nonprofits.
The Board of Supervisors publicly recognized Zendesk for its community benefits work in the Mid‑Market and South of Market neighborhoods, highlighting early partnerships with local nonprofits and neighborhood-serving initiatives.
Supervisor Jane Kim (introducing the recognition) said Zendesk was the first company to enter the Mid‑Market tax exclusion program and to execute a community benefits agreement. City and community representatives described specific collaborations: Zendesk hosted workshops on food storage and preparation for residents with limited kitchen access; it hired two summer interns who live in the Tenderloin; it contracted with local nonprofit chef-training programs for catering; and it supported community garden efforts. Tiffany (Zendesk staff) accepted the recognition on behalf of the company and described the CBA process as helpful for integrating the company into the neighborhood.
Community partners who spoke included Ken Reggio of Episcopal Community Services, who described the company’s collaboration with the organization’s Chefs program and other education-and-employment initiatives, and Dina Hilliard, chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee that oversees community benefit agreements, who called Zendesk a model for other firms entering Mid‑Market.
No formal resolution was recorded to obligate funds; the item was a recognition and description of existing collaboration under a community benefits agreement.
