TikTok this week pledged $375 million to COVID-19 relief efforts, including $250 million to support front-line medical workers, educators, and local communities affected by the crisis. The rest is earmarked for public health advertisements and business ad credits.
"COVID-19 is giving all of us a new perspective, and in the face of this unprecedented crisis, we are collectively seeking moments of joy and inspiration," company president Alex Zhu wrote in a blog announcement. "Sometimes that means dancing and having fun where we can. Sometimes that means experiencing the comfort and warmth that comes through simple human connection in the face of adversity."
TikTok's contribution will be divided between three causes: $150 million toward medical staffing, supplies, and hardship relief (Health Heroes Relief Fund); $40 million to local organizations that serve vulnerable communities (Community Relief Fund); and $50 million in grants to educators, professional experts, and nonprofits for distance learning (Creative Learning Fund). TikTok is also going to match up to $10 million in donations made by its community.
"The TikTok community is uplifting one another, caring for one another, and lending a hand to one another," Zhu said. "This may be a serious time, but on TikTok it can still be joyful—and deeply inspiring."
The social network also introduced new initiatives to help small businesses restart and rebuild, contribute to public education efforts, and support the emotional well-being of the community through efforts like #HappyAtHome.
"We understand that these are challenging times for everyone. … We are committed to offering the very best that we can to help out humanity," according to Zhu. "Together, we will persevere through this time of crisis and emerge a better community and part of a world that we fervently hope will be more united in common purpose than it was before."
Further Reading
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