These tech companies are donating to LA fire relief efforts

Numerous technology companies have pledged millions in donations to help LA recover from the wildfires that caused widespread devastation and forced thousands to evacuate the region. Those offering help 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 committed $15 million to organizations providing immediate relief in LA, including the 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 offices in LA, they plan to offer YouTube production facilities to the creators and artists impacted to help rebuild their businesses.

“Los Angeles is the heart of entertainment and storytelling and has an impact on culture around the world,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan wrote in a blog post. “It’s also where many YouTube creators, artists, partners and our employees call home. Like many, we were heartbroken by the devastation of the fires and want to do our part to support the community as it rebuilds.”

Meta has pledged $2 million in cash and advertising credits for relief efforts, 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 aid and long-term recovery efforts. Advertising credits will support PSA messaging to affected communities and to support fundraising appeals on Meta’s platforms.

While Meta’s donation is smaller than its other technology counterparts, the company notes that emergency response organizations are leveraging its Data for Good tools to aid in their efforts, including its mobility data, which helps to follow the movement and evacuation patterns resulting from the fires. Additionally, Meta has enabled Facebook’s safety verification feature to help users notify their friends and family that they are safe.

“Meta gives to relief efforts and Priscilla and I are also personally,” Zuckerberg wrote in a post. on the Threads. “Meta also enabled Safety Check and so far more than 400 thousand people have used it to let friends and family know they are safe.”

snap: $5 million

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 entitled “Dear Los Angeles, I Love You”, Spiegel wrote about how he grew up in the Palisades and that his father’s house was lost in the fires.

“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 adds a new layer of paint to this beautiful canvas we call home. Los Angeles , I love you. And as first responders across the country testify on the scene in our office parking lot, I see their tireless support and I know millions more love you too.”

Amazon: $10 million

Amazon has committed $10 million to relief organizations in LA, 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 Small Business Relief/Recovery Fund.

The company says it has also donated more than 145,000 essential items to 17 local organizations working in the fire response and has implemented cloud technology to help emergency responders.

“Amazon is working with first responders, nonprofit partners and humanitarian relief agencies on the ground in Los Angeles to get thousands of vital supplies,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in a post. 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

Netflix is donation of $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 helping with temporary housing needs for those who have lost their homes. In addition, Netflix is ​​double-matching all charitable contributions from employees through its employee donation program.

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

Apple: Yes, but undisclosed amount

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced which 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 its App Store and Apple Music app.

“Our hearts go out to everyone 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 to donate to help make a difference.”

Sony: $5 million

Sony is $5 million donation to support emergency relief in LA. The donation will be awarded to relief organizations that support 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. “Through our thousands of employees, partners and friends based here, our roots run deep in this community. We will continue to work with our local business leadership to determine how best Sony Group can support relief and recovery efforts in the coming days.”

Beyond technology

Outside of the tech giants, major entertainment companies have donated millions to aid relief efforts. The discovery of Warner Bros pledged $15 million, Comcast NBCUniversal donated $10 million, The Walt Disney Company committed $15 million, and Paramount donate $1 million.