Many tech companies have pledged millions of dollars to help Los Angeles recover from wildfires that caused widespread destruction and forced thousands of people to evacuate the area. Those offering assistance include YouTube/Google, Meta, Snap, Amazon, Netflix and Sony.
Here's an overview of each company's efforts to aid relief efforts in the region:
YouTube and Google have committed $15 million to organizations providing emergency relief in Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles Emergency Network, the American Red Cross, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Institute for Nonprofit Journalism.
The companies also said that once it is safe to reopen their offices in Los Angeles, they plan to provide YouTube production facilities to affected creators and artists to help them rebuild their businesses.
“Los Angeles is a hub of entertainment and storytelling that has impacted culture around the world,” YouTube CEO Neal Mohan wrote in a blog post. “It’s also home to many YouTube creators, artists, A home for our partners and our employees. Like many, we are heartbroken by the devastation caused by the wildfires and want to do our part to support the community in rebuilding.”
A company spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that Meta has committed $2 million in cash and advertising funds to the relief effort. Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Zuckerberg also personally donated $2 million.
These donations will support emergency shelter, medical humanitarian assistance and long-term recovery efforts. Advertising credits will support PSA’s messaging to affected communities and support fundraising appeals on the Meta platform.
While Meta's donation is smaller than other tech peers, the company noted that emergency response organizations are leveraging its Data for Good tools to assist in their efforts, including its Mobility Data, which helps track movement and evacuation patterns caused by fires . Additionally, Meta activates Facebook's Safety Check feature to help users notify their friends and family that they are safe.
"Meta is contributing to the rescue effort, as are Priscilla and I personally," Zuckerberg wrote in a post on Threads. "Meta has also activated safety checks and so far has More than 400,000 people use it to let friends and family know they are safe."
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced that the company has donated $5 million to emergency relief and that the social network plans to do more. Snap is also providing meals to evacuees and first responders and providing free space.
In a blog post titled "Dear Los Angeles, I Love You," Spiegel described how he grew up in the Palisades and how his father's house burned down in a wildfire.
“We’re not the first community to face a catastrophic fire,” 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 great city of artists will add to this beautiful canvas we call home A new layer of color. As I watched first responders from across the country show up in our office parking lot, I saw their tireless support and knew there were millions of others who loved you, too."
Amazon has pledged $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, Los Angeles Wildfire Habitat Foundation and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Small Business Relief/Recovery Fund.
The company said it also donated more than 145,000 essential items to 17 local organizations working on wildfire response efforts and deployed cloud technology to assist emergency responders.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in a post on X: "Amazon is working with local first responders, nonprofit partners and humanitarian relief agencies in Los Angeles to provide them with thousands of critical supplies. "The team will continue to support relief efforts in the coming weeks in coordination with community partners and humanitarian organizations. "
Netflix donated $10 million to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Film and Television Fund, and Entertainment Community Fund.
The streaming giant is also helping affected employees, including helping those who have lost their homes with temporary housing needs. In addition, Netflix double-matches all employees’ charitable contributions through its employee giving program.
"For many of us, the next few years will be a time of rebuilding that will require creativity, vision, courage and perseverance," Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos wrote in a blog post. “Looking around at some of the hardest-hit communities, it’s hard to imagine rebuilding — but we will, and we will come back stronger than before.”
Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the tech giant is donating money to support victims and local recovery efforts. TechCrunch has reached out to the company to learn more about its efforts.
In addition to donating, Apple has also added an easy way for users to donate to the American Red Cross through its App Store and Apple Music apps.
"Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the ongoing destruction in Los Angeles. In addition to Apple's donation, we're making it easier to support recovery efforts," Cook said in a post on X. "If you're in the United States, just open the App Store or Apple Music and click 'Donate' to help make a difference."
Sony donates $5 million to support emergency relief in Los Angeles. The donation will be distributed among relief organizations that support first responders, community rescue, reconstruction efforts and employee assistance programs.
"For 35 years, Los Angeles has been the home of our entertainment business," Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and Sony President, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki said in a joint statement. "By us being there With thousands of employees, partners and friends, our roots are deep in this community and we will continue to work with local business leadership to determine how Sony Group can best support rescue and recovery efforts in the coming days.”
In addition to tech giants, major entertainment companies have donated millions of dollars to aid relief efforts. Warner Bros. Discovery pledged $15 million, Comcast NBCUniversal pledged $10 million, The Walt Disney Company pledged $15 million, and Paramount (Paramount) donated $1 million.