Many tech companies have pledged millions in donations to help Los Angeles recover from wildfires that caused widespread damage and forced thousands of people to evacuate the area. Those offering help include YouTube/Google, Meta, Snap, Amazon, Netflix and Sony.
Here’s a look at what each company is doing to help with relief efforts in the region:
YouTube and Google: $15 million
YouTube and Google have committed $15 million to organizations providing immediate relief to Los Angeles, including Emergency Network Los Angeles, the American Red Cross, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
The companies also said that once it is possible to reopen their offices in Los Angeles, they plan to offer YouTube production facilities to affected creators and artists to help them rebuild their businesses.
“Los Angeles is the heart of entertainment and storytelling and impacts culture around the world,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan wrote in a blog post. “It’s also where many YouTube creators, artists, partners and employees live. Like so many others, we are heartbroken by the devastation caused by the wildfires and want to do our part to support the community as it rebuilds.
Meta has committed $2 million in cash and advertising credits to relief activities, a company spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch. Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, also made a personal donation of $2 million.
Donations will support immediate shelter, medical humanitarian assistance and long-term recovery efforts. Advertising credits will support PSA messages aimed at affected communities and support fundraising appeals on Meta’s platforms.
Although Meta’s donation is lower than its other tech counterparts, the company notes that emergency response organizations are leveraging its Data for Good tools to aid their efforts, including its mobility data, which helps to follow movement and evacuation patterns resulting from fires. Additionally, Meta has enabled Facebook’s Safety Check feature to help users let friends and family know that they are safe.
“Meta is helping with relief efforts and so are Priscilla and I personally,” Zuckerberg wrote in a post on Threads. “Meta also enabled Safety Check and so far over 400,000 people have used it to let friends and family know they are safe.”
Instant: 5 million dollars
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced that the company has donated $5 million in immediate relief and that the social network plans to do more. Snap also provides meals to evacuees and first responders, and offers free space.
In a blog post titled “Dear Los Angeles, I Love You,” Spiegel wrote about growing up in the Palisades and how his father’s house was lost in the wildfires.
“We are not the first community to face a megafire,” Spiegel said. “We will not be the last. But we will use our strength, our ingenuity and our love to create again and again. Our city of great artists will add a new coat of paint to this beautiful canvas we call home. Los Angeles, I love you. And when I see first responders from across the country drive into our office parking lot, I see their tireless support and I know millions of others love you too.
Amazon: 10 million dollars
Amazon has committed $10 million to relief organizations in Los Angeles, including the American Red Cross of Southern California, FireAid, MusiCares Fire Relief Effort, World Central Kitchen, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Habitat for Los Angeles Wildfire Fund and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Small Business Relief/Recovery Fund.
The company says it has also donated more than 145,000 essential items to 17 local organizations working to fight wildfires and deployed cloud technology to help emergency responders.
“Amazon is working with first responders, nonprofit partners and relief agencies on the ground in Los Angeles to provide them with thousands of lifesaving supplies,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in a statement. article on X. “The team will continue to support relief efforts in coordination with community partners and humanitarian organizations in the coming weeks.
Netflix: 10 million dollars
Netflix is donating $10 million to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Fund Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Motion Picture and Television Fund and Entertainment Community Fund.
The streaming giant is also helping its affected employees, including meeting the temporary housing needs of those who have lost their homes. Additionally, Netflix matches all employee charitable contributions through its employee giving program.
“The next few years will be a time of rebuilding for many of us and it will require creativity, vision, courage and perseverance,” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos wrote in a blog post. “Looking at some of the hardest hit neighborhoods, it’s hard to imagine rebuilding – but we will, and we will come back stronger than before.” »
Apple: Yes, but amount not shared
Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the tech giant is donating to support victims and recovery efforts on the ground. TechCrunch reached out to the company to learn more about its efforts.
In addition to donations, Apple has added a way for users to easily donate to the American Red Cross through its App Store and Apple Music apps.
“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the current devastation in Los Angeles. In addition to Apple’s donation, we’re making it easier to support recovery efforts,” Cook said in an article on donation to help make a difference.
Sony: 5 million dollars
Sony donates $5 million to support emergency relief in Los Angeles. The donation will be allocated to relief organizations supporting first responders, community relief, rebuilding efforts and employee assistance programs.
“Los Angeles has been the home of our entertainment business for more than 35 years,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and Sony President, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki said in a joint statement. “With our thousands of employees, partners and friends based there, our roots run deep in this community. We will continue to work with our local business leaders to determine how Sony Group can best support relief and recovery efforts in the days ahead.
Beyond technology
Outside of tech giants, major entertainment companies have donated millions of dollars to help relief efforts. Warner Bros. Discovery committed $15 million, Comcast NBCUniversal donated $10 million, The Walt Disney Company committed $15 million, and Paramount donated $1 million.
