About Us
Our Mission
The Rackspace Foundation mission is to create a learning community where education is valued, families and educators are engaged, and students strive to reach their full potential. We partner with organizations that provide important programs that meet basic student needs while contributing to a holistic education by introducing students to mentorship, the arts, STEM programs and more.
Our Story
At Rackspace, one of our core values is Fanatical Support® in all we do. At the heart of each Racker is a desire to serve our customers, fellow Rackers, and the community around us. We believe in being more than just a good neighbor, and supporting and investing in our community is part of who we are. Officially launched in 2009, the Rackspace Foundation is a way for us to take this passion for service to the next level and share our Fanatical Support® with our neighbors in a meaningful way.
Community-based approach
We take a community-based approach to investment. Rather than focusing on a single cause, we’re committed to providing holistic support for students in our geographic footprint. Our funding is focused on supplementing important STEM programs to contribute to a well-rounded education. We hope that through these programs, students find their passions, have a safe place to express their identities, ask questions, are creative and believe in their own potential.
Racker funded
The Rackspace Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, fully funded by Rackers through payroll deductions. By avoiding overhead costs, we can pass 100% of the donations directly onto supporting our students.
Our StoryWhen it was time for Rackspace Technology to find a permanent location to house our San Antonio headquarters, no one expected it would be the abandoned mall on the east side of town.
As renovations began to turn the mall into our new home, it was proposed that a security wall be constructed around the perimeter of the campus. While there were clear safety concerns to address, it was estimated that construction of this wall would cost nearly a million dollars. Not only was it expensive, but also the idea of a giant wall went against our mission of being one of the world’s greatest service companies. We believed the move to this community meant greater opportunity to serve our new neighbors. Under the leadership of Graham Weston, with a vision for ”building bridges not walls,” that money was used to fund the launch of the Rackspace Foundation.
See the diverse programs we’ve supported
Gemini Ink
Gemini Ink supports writing arts programs for disadvantaged youths and adults. The Rackspace Foundation primarily provides funding for their youth programs in the NEISD (Northeast Independent School District) which supports 30 public classes, training for incoming teaching artists and special events, such as hosting a “Big Texas author talk” with a well-known Texas author.
Our funding supports workshops at three campuses serving a total of 44 students:
- At Campus I, students explored everything from the complexities of friendship to their favorite things, to fantastical imaginings. Through these exercises, students wrote poetry, mini-plays, flash fiction, and comic strips. This workshop also incorporated mindfulness, play, and team-building exercises to promote self-regulation and community.
- At Campus II, students used performance-based writing to reflect on their daily lives through poetry, live storytelling, sensory writing, and flash fiction. These exercises allowed our young writers to play with fresh approaches to personal narratives, odes, and even the editing process. The workshop also incorporated icebreakers, group activities, and a daily mantra to create a sense of community–one where our students felt comfortable taking creative risks.
- At Campus III, students who have a lot of language and learning needs, are currently exploring flash fiction and comics through the studying of fantasy, science fiction, and traditional literature, including folktales, fables, and myths. This is a truly bilingual workshop where both instructors are native Spanish speakers.
Assistance League of San Antonio
Through funding provided by the Rackspace Foundation, the Assistance League of San Antonio has provided support to four of the Magnificent 7 Elementary Schools through their Operation School Bell® program. The program provides children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade with an opportunity to “shop” for new clothes with the help of their member volunteers.
Rackspace Foundation supported 250 Title I students at Camelot, Montgomery, Windcrest and Walzem Elementary Schools with two complete outfits that included: two new pants and shirts, a pair of sneakers, jacket, reading book, hygiene kit, five pairs of underwear and socks.
With support from wonderful partners, like the Rackspace Foundation, we were able to serve more than 16,000 low-income students in Title I schools throughout Bexar County. THANK YOU for your continued support!
YOSA (Youth Orchestras of San Antonio):
North East Educational Foundation
Pruitt Library Chess Program
How can we help
The Rackspace Foundation actively engages with the community to understand the unique strengths and challenges of each program it supports. This approach helps to foster innovation and create a positive impact.