These tech companies are donating to Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts

Several technology companies have pledged millions of dollars in donations to help Los Angeles recover from wildfires that caused widespread devastation and forced thousands to evacuate the area. Those offering assistance include YouTube/Google, Meta, Snap, Amazon, Netflix, and Sony.

Here’s an overview of what each company is doing to help relief efforts in the region:

YouTube and Google: 15 million dollars

YouTube and Google Pledged $15 million To organizations providing immediate relief in Los Angeles, including Los Angeles Emergency Network, the American Red Cross, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and the Nonprofit News Institute.

The companies also said that once it is safe to reopen their Los Angeles offices, 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 has an impact on culture around the world,” YouTube CEO Neil Mohan wrote in a blog post. Blog post. “It’s also where many YouTube creators, artists, partners, and our employees call home. Like many, we are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the bushfires and want to do our part to support the community as they rebuild.

Meta has set aside $2 million in cash and ad credits for relief activities, a company spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch. Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, also personally donated $2 million.

Donations will support immediate shelter, medical humanitarian assistance and long-term recovery efforts. Advertising credits will support PSA messaging to affected communities and support fundraising appeals on Meta platforms.

While Meta’s donation is smaller than those of other tech peers, the company notes that emergency response organizations are leveraging its Data for Good tools to aid their efforts, including its mobility data, which helps track movement and evacuation patterns resulting from fires. Additionally, Meta has activated Facebook’s Safety Check feature to help users notify their friends and family that they are safe.

“Meta is providing support to relief efforts, and Priscilla and I are also doing so personally,” Zuckerberg wrote in a post. On topics. “Meta has also activated the Safety Check feature, and so far over 400,000 people have used it to let friends and family know they are safe.”

pop: 5 million dollars

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced that the company has done just that Donate $5 million In immediate relief and the social network plans to do more. Snap also provides meals to evacuees and first responders, and provides free space.

In a Blog post Titled “Dear Los Angeles, I Love You,” Spiegel wrote about how he grew up in the Palisades area and that his father’s home was lost in wildfires.

“We are not the first community to face a wildfire,” 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 as I watch first responders from all over the country gather In our office parking lot, I see their continued support and know that millions of others love you, too.

Amazon: 10 million dollars

Amazon has it Pledged $10 million To Los Angeles relief organizations, 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 Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Business Relief/Recovery Small financing.

The company says it has also donated more than 14,500 essential items to 17 local organizations working to respond to wildfires and that 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 provide them with thousands of critical supplies,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in a post. On X. He added: “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 Donate $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 assisting its affected employees, including helping with the temporary housing needs of those who lost their homes. Additionally, Netflix matches all employee charitable contributions through its Employee Giving Program.

“The next few years will be a rebuilding period for many of us, and it will require creativity, vision, determination and perseverance,” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos wrote in a letter. Blog post. “If we look around 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 the amount is not shared

Apple CEO Tim Cook Announce 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 donating, Apple has added a way for users to easily donate to the American Red Cross through the App Store and Apple Music apps.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the ongoing devastation in Los Angeles. In addition to Apple’s donation, we are making it easier to support recovery efforts,” Cook said in a post. On X. “If you’re in the US, simply open the App Store or Apple Music and tap to donate to help make a difference.”

Sony: 5 million dollars

Sony is Donation of $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 home to our entertainment business for more than 35 years,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and Sony COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki said in a joint statement. “With the thousands of employees, partners and friends out 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 days ahead.”

Beyond technology

Aside from the tech giants, major entertainment companies have donated millions to help with relief efforts. Warner Bros. Discovery Pledged $15 million Comcast NBCUniversal donated $10 million, Walt Disney Company It has allocated $15 million Paramount Donates one million dollars.