ABSTRACT
Compassionate capitalism refers to the philanthropic commitments that accompany corporate redevelopment efforts in underserved neighbourhoods. This chapter examines a policy that drew tech firms to the area, known as the 'Twitter tax breaks', and the philanthropic efforts that accompanied the arrangement. In the case of the Twitter tax breaks, technology corporations and their employees are transforming the racial, class and ethnic demographics of neighbourhoods, while actively engaging in charity campaigns that minimize the optics of gentrification. The chapter considers the ideological, material and symbolic impacts of tech companies in the mid-market district of San Francisco. The arrival of technology companies and their employees to San Francisco has changed the racial and class demographics of the city as a whole, and of the Tenderloin, in particular. The chapter also examines how increasing racial and class inequalities are interpreted and refashioned in the new economy.
