These tech companies are donating to LA wildfire relief efforts

Numerous tech companies have pledged millions in grants to help LA recover from the wildfires that caused widespread devastation and forced thousands of people to evacuate the region. Those offering support include YouTube/Google, Meta, Snap, Amazon, Netflix and Sony.

Here’s a brief description of what each company is doing to help with relief efforts in the region:

YouTube and Google: $15M

YouTube and Google $15 million in commitments Emergency Network Los Angeles, the American Red Cross, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and the Institute for Nonprofit News provide immediate relief in LA.

The companies also said that once their offices in LA are safe to reopen, they plan to offer YouTube production facilities to help affected creators and artists rebuild their businesses.

“Los Angeles is the epicenter of entertainment and storytelling and has an impact on cultures around the world,” YouTube CEO Neil Mohan wrote. Blog post. “Also many YouTube creators, artists, partners and our staff call home. Like many, we are devastated by the bushfires and want to do our part to support the community as it rebuilds.”

Meta has committed $2 million in cash and advertising credits to the relief effort, a company spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch. Mark and Priscilla Zuckerberg personally donated $2 million.

Donations will support immediate shelter, medical humanitarian assistance and long-term recovery efforts. Advertising credits will support PSA messaging in affected communities and fund-raising appeals on Mater platforms

Although Meta’s grant is smaller than that of its other technology partners, the company notes that emergency response agencies are using its data to better tools to aid their efforts, including its mobility data, which helps track movement and migration patterns caused by fires. In addition, Meta enabled Facebook’s Safety Check feature so users can let their friends and family know they’re safe.

“Meta is giving to the relief effort and Priscilla and I are personally too,” Zuckerberg wrote in a post. in the thread. “Meta has also enabled safety testing and so far more than 400,000 people have used it to let friends and family know they are safe.”

Snap: $5M

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced that the company has Donated 5 million dollars Immediate Relief and Social Networks are planning to do more. Snap is also providing food and free space to evacuees and first responders.

A Blog post Under the title “Dear Los Angeles, I Love You,” Spiegel wrote about how he grew up in the Palisades and lost his father’s house in a fire.

“We’re not the first community to face a megafire,” Spiegel said. “We will not be finished. But we will use our strength, our ingenuity and our love to rebuild. Our city of great artists will add a new layer of color to this beautiful canvas we call home. Los Angeles, I love you. And as I see first responders from across the country staged in our office parking lot, I see their tireless support and know that millions more love you too.”

the amazon: $10M

There is Amazon $10 million in commitments Funds for relief organizations in LA, including American Red Cross of Southern California, FireAid, Musicare Fire Relief Effort, World Central Kitchen, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Habitat for Los Angeles Wildfire Fund, and Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Small Business Relief/Recovery.

The company said it has donated more than 145,000 essential items to 17 local agencies working in response to the wildfires, and it has deployed cloud technology to assist emergency responders.

“Amazon is working with first responders, nonprofit partners, and humanitarian relief agencies on the ground in Los Angeles to get thousands of critical supplies,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in a post. on x. “The team will continue to support relief efforts in the coming weeks by coordinating with community partners and humanitarian agencies.”

Netflix: $10M

Netflix is 10 million dollar grant 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 supporting its affected employees, including helping with temporary housing needs for those who lost their homes. Additionally, Netflix is ​​doubling all employee charitable contributions through its employee giving program.

“The next few years will be a rebuilding time for many of us and it will require creativity, vision, tenacity and perseverance,” wrote Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. Blog post. “Looking at some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods, it’s hard to imagine rebuilding — but we will, and we’ll come back stronger than ever.”

Apple: Yes, but the amount is not shared

Apple CEO Tim Cook announcement The tech giant is donating to victims on the ground and supporting recovery efforts. TechCrunch reached out to the company to learn more about its efforts.

In addition to donating, Apple has added a way for users to easily donate to the American Red Cross through its App Store and Apple Music app.

“Our hearts go out to all affected by the ongoing devastation in LA. In addition to Apple’s donation, we’re making it easy to support recovery efforts,” Cook said in a post on x. “If you’re in the US, just open the App Store or Apple Music and click donate to help make a difference.”

sony: $5M

Sony is 5 million dollar grant To help with emergency relief in LA. The grant will be allocated to relief agencies that support first responders, community relief, reconstruction efforts and employee assistance programs.

“Los Angeles has been home to 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. “Through our thousands of employees, partners and friends located there, our roots run deep in this community. We will continue to work with our local business leadership to determine how Sony Group can best support relief and recovery efforts in the coming days.”

Beyond technology

Beyond the tech giants, major entertainment companies have donated millions to aid relief efforts. A Warner Bros. invention $15 million in commitments, Comcast NBCUniversal $10 million grant, The Walt Disney Company Committed $15 million and Paramount Donating $1 million.