More than 1,100 Intel volunteers spent 34,000 hours in 26 Folsom Cordova schools last year, earning the District more than $289,000 from the global company’s Matching Grant Program.

FCUSD schools were the single highest recipient of grant program funds and volunteers in the Sacramento region in 2015. Volunteer activities included: PC Pals - an e-mentoring program where students are paired and exchange e-mails twice a week with Intel employees to   augment classroom learning; Team coaching; Cyber safety presentations; STEM events for girls; Tutoring; Galileo trainings; Science fair judging.

Schools have used matching grant funds for updated and new computers, new state-of-the-art technology for classrooms, including projectors and student devices, as well as increased robotics programs for the classroom and an enhanced engineering curriculum.

The company held a celebration on Sept. 7 to honor more than 3,000 volunteers and the schools and nonprofits they served.

The Intel Involved Matching Grant program aims to recognize and motivate Intel employees globally to engage in outreach and volunteerism. After Intel employees volunteer a minimum of 20 hours at a qualified school or nonprofit, the Intel Foundation matches $10/hour with a maximum of $15,000 per school on an annual basis.