Apple has announced that it committed more than $200 million over the last three years to advance equity and expand opportunities for Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Indigenous communities.

The funding more than doubles the company’s initial commitment of $100 million through its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI), which the tech giant launched in 2020. Focused on education, economic empowerment, and criminal justice reform, REJI commitments have supported work across the United States, as well as in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Mexico, including more than $50 million to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) in support of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math opportunities; $25 million in venture capital to expand support for minority businesses and address systemic barriers to funding access; and support for nonprofit organizations including the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Vera Institute of Justice, and The Last Mile to provide legal services, safe housing, identification services, and healthcare access, for justice-impacted individuals.

“Building a more just and equitable world is urgent work that demands collaboration, commitment, and a common sense of purpose,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “We are proud to partner with many extraordinary organizations that are dedicated to addressing injustice and eliminating barriers to opportunity. And we’ll continue to lead with our values as we expand our efforts to create opportunities, lift up communities, and help build a better future for all.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/FG Trade)