VC Ron Conway Quits Salesforce Foundation Over Benioff's National Guard Comments

Ron Conway Resigns from Salesforce Foundation

Ron Conway, the founder of venture capital firm SV Angel – recognized for early investments in companies like Google, Airbnb, and Meta – has stepped down from his position at the Salesforce Foundation. This news was reported by the New York Times.

The resignation occurred following statements made by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff last week. Benioff expressed support for President Trump and suggested utilizing National Guard troops to address crime and homelessness within San Francisco.

Benioff's Controversial Statements

During a New York Times interview, Benioff asserted that San Francisco requires “a show of force.” He advocated for the deployment of the National Guard to counteract the city’s perceived decline in conditions.

Furthermore, Benioff lauded Elon Musk’s initiatives in government efficiency. He also admitted to not fully engaging with reports concerning immigration enforcement or criticisms leveled against the press by Trump, despite his ownership of Time magazine, acquired in 2018.

Salesforce Foundation's Impact

Conway served on the Salesforce Foundation’s board for ten years. The foundation is dedicated to bolstering education and workforce development opportunities for underserved youth.

According to tax records cited by the New York Times, the philanthropic organization distributed $36 million in grants during 2023. It concluded the year with approximately $400 million in assets.

A Decades-Long Friendship Fractured

Benioff and Conway have maintained a friendship spanning 25 years, historically sharing similar progressive political perspectives.

However, Benioff’s recent ideological shifts have caused discord with Conway.

Conway's Resignation Letter

“It saddens me immensely to say that with your recent comments, and failure to understand their impact, I now barely recognize the person I have so long admired,” Conway communicated to Benioff in an email on Thursday, as obtained by the New York Times.

Salesforce's Response

A Salesforce representative confirmed Conway’s resignation to TechCrunch. They expressed “deep gratitude” for Conway’s contributions to the Salesforce Foundation Board over the past decade.

Growing Support for Trump Within Tech

Benioff is among a growing number of prominent tech leaders and investors who, despite prior support for the Democratic Party, are now publicly endorsing Trump.

The disagreement between Benioff and Conway became apparent during Salesforce’s Dreamforce conference, a major annual event in San Francisco.