Motorola foundation focuses on pandemic, education

CHICAGO - The Motorola Solutions Foundation recently announced more than $12 million granted to charitable organizations in 2020.

Of this, the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions awarded more than $8 million through its strategic grants program supporting first responders' programs and technology/engineering education across the globe. Another $2 million was provided to support COVID-19 relief efforts.

"Our foundation is committed to driving positive change," said Karem Perez, executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. "Its purpose to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities - where people can truly be their best in the moments that matter - carried more meaning for us than ever before given the challenges the world faced."

The foundation supported those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical funding for hospitals to purchase personal protective equipment, supporting mental health programs for first responders and aiding teachers and students in underserved communities with virtual learning.

Additionally, the foundation, which has donated $100 million over the past 10 years to first responders, students, teachers, veterans and community members, allocated the majority of its 2020 grant funding to programs that directly support people of color. Specifically, within technology and engineering education, 82% of funding directly benefited people of color and 62% directly supported females through partnerships with organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers, the foundation said.